YOUNG OFFENDERS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sia,—Home Office Schools are divided into two classes (1) Industrial Schools intended for the reception from the Courts of children under 14 who are so neglected by their parents as to be placed in a situation of moral danger. Children of 12 and 13 who have not been previously convicted and who are charged with punishable offences may also be committed to Industrial Schools. The number of these schools is 49, maintaining 3,098 boys and 760 girls. (2) Reformatory Schools intended for the reception from the Courts of youthful offenders from 12 to 16 years of age who have been convicted of a punishable offence. The detention order in these schools must be not less than three nor more than five years. There are now 27 Reformatory Schools maintaining 1,911 boys and 177 girls. In both schools special attention is given to the moulding of character and to physical development. The number of youths (aged 16 to 21) sentenced to " Borstal Detention," usually for a period of about two years, has increased from 679 in 1929 to around 1,000 at the present
time. There are now five Borstal Institutions for boys : Portland near Weymouth ; Borstal near Rochester ; Feltham in Middlesex ; Camp Hill, Isle of Wight, and a new and up-to-date Institute at Lowdham near Nottingham, where the best amongst the young offenders are sent.
Much publicity is given to the recreations at a Borstal Institution. Life, however, is more strenuous than in a prison ; moreover, the primary object is reformative training throughout a prolonged period. The only Borstal Institution for girls is at Aylesbury, under the able guidance of Miss Lilian Barker as Governor. In 1930, 1,872 young offenders aged 16 to 21 served sentences of varying terms in prison. Possibly Borstal sentences would have been more appropriate in many cases than sentences of imprisonment. Of the 916 sentences of a month or less 415 were committals in default of fines. Some modification of the system of committals to Borstal Institutions by the Courts is, in my view, desirable.—I am,
Sir, &c., J. HERBERT TWAMLEY, Hon. Treasurer, Bedfordshire Discharged Prisoners Aid Society. H.M. Prison, Bedford.
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