PRISONERS UNDER 20 YEARS OF AGE. Male. Female.
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p.c. p.c.
Italy (1871—6) … … … … … … … 8.8 6.8
France ('72-5) … … … … … … … 10 7.6
Prussia ('71-7—not over 19 years) … … … 2.8 2.6
Austria ('72-5) … … … … … … … 9.6 10.6
Hungary ('72-6) … … … … … … … 4.2 9
England ('72-7 )—not over 24) … … … … 27.4 14.8
Scotland ('72-7) … … … … … … … 20 7.8
Ireland ('72-7) … … … … … … … 9 3.2
Belgium ('74-5) … … … … … … … 20.8 —-
Holland ('72-7) … … … … … … … 22.8 3.7
Sweden ('73-7) … … … … … … … 19.7 17
Switzerland ('74) … … … … … … … 6.6 7
Denmark ('74-5) … … … … … … … 9.9 9.6
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More recent figures show that the yearly average in France, for 1876-80, out of 4,374 persons brought to trial, was 1 per cent. under sixteen years of age, and 17 per cent. between sixteen and twenty-one; <p 32>whilst in 1886 the same percentages were .60 and 14. Out of 146,217 accused before the tribunals there were 4 per cent. under sixteen, and 14 per cent. between sixteen and twenty- one. Out of 25,135 females there were 4 per cent. under sixteen, and 11 per cent. between sixteen and twenty-one; whilst in 1886 the percentages were 3 and 14 of males, 2.5 and 14 of females.
In Prussia, of persons accused of crimes and offences in 1860-70, 4 per cent. were under eighteen years.
In Germany, of persons condemned in 1886, 3 per cent. were between twelve and fifteen, 6 per cent. between fifteen and eighteen, and 16 per cent. between eighteen and twenty-one years.
In Italy, out of 5,189 persons condemned at the assizes in 1887, 3 per cent. were between fourteen and eighteen, and 12 per cent. between eighteen and twenty-one. Out of 65,624 tried before the tribunals, 1.2 per cent. were under fourteen, 5 per cent. were between fourteen and eighteen, and 13 per cent. between eighteen and twenty-one. There is a continual increase of precocious criminals in Italy. Prisoners condemned at the assizes under the age of twenty-one stood at 15 per cent. from 1880 to 1887, whilst those of a similar age who were tried before the tribunals rose from 17 to 20 per cent.
To these numerical data may be added others of a qualificative character, showing that precocity is most frequent in respect of the natural crimes and offences which are usually observed amongst born and habitual criminals. <p 33>
In France the younger prisoners in 1882 had been sentenced in the following proportions:—
Male. Female. For murder and poisoning … … 0.9 per cent. .5 per cent. '' homicide, assaults, and wounding 1.6 '' 1.5 '' '' incendiarism… … … … 1.8 '' 2 '' '' indecent assault … … … 3.5 '' 11.8 '' '' specified thefts, forgery, uttering false coin … … … … 5.2 '' 2.4 '' '' simple theft, swindling … 60.8 '' 49.7 '' '' mendicity and vagrancy … 23 '' 20.5 '' '' other crimes and offences … 2.7 '' 8 '' '' defiance of parents … … 1 '' 10.5 ''
These figures, showing a greater frequency amongst females of precocious crimes against the person, and amongst males against property, are approximately repeated in Switzerland, where young prisoners in 1870-74 had been sentenced in these proportions:—
For crimes and offences against the person … 12.1 per cent. '' '' '' morality … 5.7 '' '' incendiarism… … … … … … … 4.3 '' '' theft … … … … … … … … 65.5 '' '' swindling … … … … … … … 5.4 '' '' forgery … … … … … … … 1.9 '' '' vagrancy … … … … … … … 4.6 ''