YOUNG DELINQUENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20630, 11 August 1941, Page 3

YOUNG DELINQUENTS

PROBLEM IN BRITAIN ACCOMMODATION SHORTLONDON, July 19. In many parts of Britain the shortage of accommodation in remand homes has become so acute that children committed to a home by a juvenile court have had to be sent back to their parents or guardians, despite the court order. This matter is causing serious concern to probation officers and other connected 'Gvith juvenile delinquency. At the same time, there is a steady increase in juvenile crime. Latest statistics show that 13 is the peak age for young offenders. Present indications are that, owing to a continued decrease in parental control arising out of war conditions, this state of affairs will continue, and that the number of young offenders may rise. Social workers realise that once a child comes to consider that a court order is merely a formality, the deterrent effect of a verdict is lessened considerab y. Judges, magistrates, police officers and others ,are also worried because boys and youths ordered to be sent to Borstal institutions for training are often unable to be accommodated. This is due to the difficulty of maintaining supervisory staffs, and to the fact that some buildings formerly used for Borstal work have now been requisitioned i'or other purposes.