H—2o

Length of Sentence.—Hereunder is set out a table showing in comparative form thelengths of sentences imposed on offenders :

It will be observed that just over 50 per cent, of the total number of distinct persons sentenced to imprisonment were given terms of three months or less, and that 65 per cent, received less than six months. It is estimated that 30 per cent, of the total receptions are what may be described as petty recidivists who are not readily responsive to reformative influences and who are frequently in and out of prison. They constitute a nuisance factor, and many of them because of their indolence and irresponsible nature might well, in their own interests and for the protection of society, be declared to be habitual offenders. It is clear that in these cases short sentences serve little purpose. Time is an essential element in bringing to bear any stabilizing influence and in inculcating habits of industry. The table also reveals a gradual lessening of the number of sentences of five years or - more. Over the past five years there has been an inclination to greater leniency than was the case in earlier times. The general statistics do not indicate that this has borne untoward results, and this may partly be ascribed to the more intensive industrial and reclamative policy of penal administration. Nationality of Offenders. —The following table shows the prisoners receiving during the year, grouped on a nationality basis :

It is interesting to note that both the number of New-Zealand-born Europeans and Maoris have lessened slightly, although the proportion of Maori prisoners to the Europeans is still substantially out of relation to their ratio to the general population. The increased number of British and foreign-born prisoners is due, as already stated, to the seamen who appear to have found this country more attractive than the places from whence they came.

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Number of Prisoners. Term of Sentence. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. 1946. Under one month 552 430 367 364 425 One month and under three months .. 1,283 824 627 639 753 Three months and under six months .. 398 421 327 318 274 Six months and under twelve months 206 241 189 197 203 One year and under three years 444 475 456 449 458 Three years and under five years 98 60 78 64 79 Five years and over 48 31 31 18 15 Indefinite (including " defaulters ") 24 26 6 Totals 3,029 2,482 2,099 2,065 2,213

Year New-Zealand-born (excluding Maoris). Maoris. British and Foreign. Total. 1946 1,006 422 785 2,213 1945 1,109 430 526 2,065 1944 1,105 553 441 2,099 1943 .. 1,401 523 558 2,482 T-OA? 1,880 450 699 3,029 1941 !! !! 1,402 346 621 2,369 1940 1,257 330 614 2,201 1939 1,427 310 768 2,505 1938 1,248 252 724 2,224 1937 .. 1,383 257 351 1,991