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Parole This group comprises persons released on licence after serving a term of imprisonment or Borstal detention, as distinct from those admitted in the first instance to probation by the Courts. The statistics show that 506 persons were released on probation during the year on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. Sixteen parolees were recommitted for breaches of their licence, and 28, including 11 habitual criminals, had their licence cancelled for further offences. Probationary after-care is simply a continuation of the reclamative process and may be regarded as an integral part of the penal plan. Too much emphasis cannot be given to supervision during the difficult transition period when a man leaves an institution and enters the world again, and unless the parolee is carefully guided during the hazardous period when he first emerges from prison the likelihood of a lapse into crime is much greater. The effectiveness of the method of supervision and after-care may be judged from the fact that during the five years ended 31st December last, 1,785 persons (excluding habitual criminals) were released on probation and during that period 185, or 10-3 per cent., were returned to prison for failing to - comply with the conditions of their licence or for other offences whilst on licence, and only 24-7 per cent, have again been convicted subsequent to discharge. Appreciation I desire to place on record the Department's appreciation of the helpful co-operation of the Magistrates who have taken up again the chairmanship of the voluntary Probation Committees. During the war period, due to the members of Committees being engaged on various activities connected with the war effort, the Committees to a large extent ceased to function. Fortunately, during this period the finding of employment for probationers presented little difficulty on account of the helpful co-operation of Placement Officers. During the past year the Probation Officers in the principal centres have revived their associate Committees, and these are again taking an enthusiastic interest in the well-being of probationers. Without the loyal co-operation of Probation Officers generally, for which I desire to express my gratitude, the work could not be carried out effectively. I desire also to express the thanks of the Department to the Salvation Army, principally to the women officers in that organization who function as Probation Officers in several towns. To the other after-care organizations, particularly the Women's Borstal Association, the various Prisoners' Aid Societies, and the Christchurch Rehabilitation Committee, grateful appreciation of help is extended. B. L. Dallard, Chief Probation Officer. REPORTS OF DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICERS Mr. C. E. Maxted, District Probation Officer, Auckland On Ist January, 1946, there were 215 on the register. During the year 248 were admitted to probation by the Courts and 110 were received on transfer from other districts. These figures give a total of 573 probationers dealt with during the year 1946. Of that number, 109 completed the probationary term, 163 were transfered to other districts, 1 died, 3 were committed to mental hospitals, 33 left the Dominion, and 2 were discharged by the Prisons Board. Thirty probationers were brought before the Court for a breach of the terms of their probationary licence, 3 of whom were also dealt with on the original charge and did not revert to probation. A total of 59 probationers appeared before the Courts for further offences committed after admission to probation, 37 of whom did not revert to probation. These figures give a total of 351 to be

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