In this place, since 1903, the Prison Commissioners have conducted experiments with regard to young male prisoners from which they have evolved the system to which the old prison has given its name.
“In reality, it is an attempt by the State, to rescue young persons from a life of crime and fit them for an honest industrial life. It is unnecessary to point out the value of such work nor to say that it is a new departure from the ordinary aims of penal administration.
“Of course there were many difficulties in the way and the Prison Commissioners found themselves hampered by lack of funds; the State being chary in giving requisite support. But in 1908 the system, having proved abundantly successful, became part and parcel of the penal system of the country and in 1909 prisons dealing only with the young offenders between the ages of 16 and 21 became Borstal institutions.
“Now a word in explanation of the method of selecting the inmates and their treatment. In 1908 the prevention of Crimes Act was passed, several clauses of which dealt with the reformation of young offenders. That they may be perfectly understood, they are given in full:
“Where a person is convicted on indictment for an offense for which he is liable to be sent to penal servitude or imprisonment and it appears to the Court, first, that the person is not less than 16 nor more than 21 years of age, and second, that by reason of his criminal tendencies or habits, or association with persons of bad character, it is expedient that he should be subject to detention for such a term and under such instruction and discipline as appears most conducive to his reformation and the repression of crime, it should be lawful for the Court, in lieu of passing a sentence of penal servitude, or imprisonment, to pass a sentence of detention under penal discipline in the Borstal institution for a term not less than one year and not more than three years; and for the purpose of this act the Secretary of State may establish Borstal Institutions, that is to say, places where young offenders may be given, while under detention, industrial training and instruction.
“This Act also gives power to the Prison Commissioners to discharge on license, such offenders as they think fitted for conditional liberty, but no license can be granted until the offender has served at least six months of his sentence and every offender whether he is released on license or has served his complete sentence, remains after his discharge under the supervision of the Prison Commissioners for several months.
“Another part of this Act provides that young offenders sentenced to the Borstal treatment must be of good physical and mental health and further provides that young men, up to the age of 23 may now be admitted to Borstal institutions.”
Having explained the Genesis of the Borstal institution and given you an idea of the class of young men who are admitted to them, it will be well to give some details of the daily life therein. The Borstalian, on his arrival is bathed and given his uniform and the Warden who receives him reads him the rules and gives him any necessary information. Next morning he sees the Chaplain and is examined by the Doctor and finally brought before the Governor. All his antecedents and capabilities are inquired into; his education, knowledge, trades, his tastes, etc., are carefully tabulated and everything, little though it be, is taken note of for the purposes of guiding the Authorities in directing the young man’s future. Thus, if he has any knowledge of a trade and wishes to continue it he is put straight at it; if he has none, but appears a likely youth for a certain job, he is put to that job at once.
“Should he be an ignorant and hopeless kind of youth for whom training and discipline, smartness, etc. is necessary, he is put among those who do the housecleaning, etc., where he must work neatly, and be quick. Every Borstalian gets physical drill every morning for one-half hour and one hour’s gymnasium three times a week when no fooling is allowed, for whether it be physical drill or gymnastics, work or play, he must do his share, perform all the exercises, every one of which has been carefully planned for developing his physical and mental smartness.
“Education is not forgotten, for no sooner does he join the institution than he begins to receive five hours tuition each week; nor is he released from this until he can pass examinations which prove him able to read with comparative ease, write intelligibly and do simple figuring. Even then further education awaits him, for special classes are formed on various subjects and lectures on all topics are given in a large hall where he goes when his behaviour and progress have been satisfactory. As magic lanterns are frequently used to illustrate these lectures, you can readily believe that these prove a great attraction.