H.—2o.

recommitted to prison for breaches of the conditions of their licenses, while 16, including 10 habitual criminals, had their licenses cancelled for further offences. Considering the difficulties with which these parolees are generally faced in endeavouring to re-establish themselves in the community, the small percentage of failures must be regarded as distinctly encouraging. The effectiveness of this method of parole may be gauged from the fact that during the past five years 1,548 persons, excluding habitual criminals, were released from institutions on license, ancl during that period only B'6 per cent, were returned to institutions for breaches of the conditions of their license, and only 27-5 per cent, have again been convicted subsequent to completion of the probationary period. Conclusion.—ln conclusion, I desire again to place on record appreciation of the excellent work rendered by the Women's Borstal Association in the oversight and placement of girls released on parole from Borstal, the Voluntary Probation Committees for their helpful co-operation with Probation Officers in supervising probationers generally, and the Prisoners' Aid Societies for their assistance to released prisoners, and to the Honorary Justices' Associations, Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army and many public-spirited persons for their interest and assistance in this important work. I desire also to express my indebtedness to my own staff for their loyal assistance. B. L. Dallard, Chief Probation Officer.

STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year 1941.

Summary op Cases dealt with cubing the Year 1941. Admitted Deferred T . to Probation. Sentence. lotal. Number reporting on Ist January, 1941 .. 1,316 193 1,509 Admitted to probation during the year .. 709 170 '879 Resumed probation—previously struck off .. 5 1 6 Totals .. .. .. .. 2,030 364 2,394 Completed probation during the year . . . . 643 163 806 Deceased .. .. .. .. .. 7 \ g Discharged by Prison Board .. .. . . 14 2 16 Left the Dominion (mostly soldiers) .. 79 10 89 Absconded and not traced (term expired) 20 2 22 Resentenced on the original charge .. .. 38 6 44 Committed further offences .. .. 41 3 44 Totals .. .. .. .. 842 187 1,029 Number reporting on 31st December, 1941 .. 1,188 177 1,365 Breaches op Conditions op Release committed during 1941. Failed to report, &c. .. .. .. .. .. _ _ .76 Committed further offences .. .. .. . . .. _ _ 152 Absconded (still untraced) .. .. .. .. _ _ .. 20 Total .. .. .. , 248

3

Age, in Years. Months J? ne ?J gll *;® en v~ W ° Three Four Five Total or under. ? ar " ] Mont h 8 - Years. Years. Years. Years, j o al ' Under 20 years of age .. 5 120 14 108 21 1 3 272 20 and under 25 6 94 8 58 18 .. 2 186 25 „ 30 3 47 5 25 10 1 1 92 30 „ 40 5 36 3 31 11 .. 1 87 40 „ 50 ..2 18 .. 15 8 .. 2 45 50 „ 60 .. 1 10 .. 6 4 21 60 „ 70 .. 2 3 .. 1 .. .. .. 6 Totals .. 24 328 30 244 72 2 9 709