H.—2OA

Habitual Criminals. During the period from January, 1911, to December 1938, 621 habitual criminals were released on license on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. Of those so released, 56-19 per cent, were returned to prison either for committing further offences or for non-compliance with the conditions of probation. No offences are recorded against the remaining 43-81 per cent., and, allowing for those who have left the Dominion or died, this leaves 21-43 per cent, who remain in the Dominion and have not further offended. Borstal Cases. Since the coming into operation of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1924, 2,541 young persons have been detained under this Act, either by original commitments by the Court or by transference of youthful offenders from penal institutions or industrial schools. There have been 2,371 inmates released on the recommendation of the Board, 2,163 being on probation and 208 on the expiration of their sentence. Of the total number released, 43 have been returned to the institution for non-compliance with the conditions of release, 199 were recommitted for further offences whilst on probation, and 422, or approximately 18 per cent, of the total released, have been sentenced for offences committed after discharge or on expiry of their period of probation. Obituary. Although not happening actually within the period covered by this report, the Board feels that it should place on record its sorrow at the passing on the Btli March, 1939, of the late Mrs. A. I. Fraer, M.8.E., who had been a member of the Board for ten years.

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