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REPORT OF THE PRISONS BOARD For the Year Ended 31st December, 1948 The following summary gives details of the eases considered and the decisions arrived at: — Cases Dealt With Board's Decisions Persons undergoing Borstal detention .. 251 Recommended for release on probation 129 Recommended for discharge Deferred for later consideration .. 120 Applications declined .. . . 2 251 251 Persons sentenced to reformative ♦ Recommended for release on probation 250 detention .. .. .. 496 Recommended for discharge .. .. 1 Deferred for later consideration .. 242 Applications declined .. •. 3 496 496 Persons sentenced to hard labour . . 248 Recommended for release on probation 177 Recommended for discharge .. .. 7 Deferred for later consideration .. 57 Applications declined .. .. 7 248 248 Habitual criminals for release or Recommended for release on probation 11 remission of head sentence .. 37- Recommended for remission of head sentence .. .. .. 1 Deferred for later consideration .. 23 Applications, declined .. .. 2 37 37 Probationers under Crimes Amendment Recommended for discharge .. .. 6 Act .. . . . . 14 Deferred for later consideration .. 5 Applications declined .. .. 3 14 14 Probationers under Offenders Probation Discharge granted .. .. 10 Act .. .. .. 10 10 j 10 During the year the Board visited every prison, prison camp, and Borstal institution in the Dominion. At each, every prisoner or inmate entitled to appear before the Board was interviewed and given every encouragement to make such representations as he or she desired. In the aggregate, fifteen meetings were held during the year at various centres throughout the country. Several of these meetings extended over more than one day. The volume of work done was as considerable as is usual. One thousand and fifty-six cases were considered—an increase of 9 over the previous year. Many of these cases concerned prisoners too recently sentenced to make it possible for the Board to make any immediate recommendation for a remission of sentence. Only good can, however, result from the early establishment of contact between individual prisoners and the Board. Such meetings inspire in the prisoners an appreciation of the fact that society is still concerned in their welfare and is prepared to extend help and consideration according to merit.

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