JUVENILE OFFENDERS [To The Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Although no
information is available as regards young offenders committed to prison for their first offence, the Home Secretary has stated that 2,227 males and 193 females aged 16-21 were received in prison during the year ending March 31st, 1925. 1,069 males and 102 females had not previously been convicted, though many had been dealt with under the Probation Act. Until the Report of the Committee upon the Treatment of Young Offenders is published, the Home Secretary is unable to consider legislation to remove youths from coming under the prison regime. The impedance attached to juvenile organizations by the Prison Commis- sioners not only testifies to the value of such agencies, but suggests that possibly more might be done for young persons recently emerging from the discipline and tradition of the school to the realization—which is unfortunate—that at wage earners they are their own masters.
I wonder whether in view of the closure of Home Office schools some home or hostel would not be desirable for ex-scholars who are out- of work or who temporarily have got into trouble ; also how far the after care, now more difficult, can be better done by the old boys' associations of certified schools.
My proposal is the constitution of machinery similar to that of the Borstal Association. Many will share the hope that prison will not be, except for special cases, the lot of the young offender.—I am, Sir, &c., D. M. MAcARTN-F.v.
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