The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1902. PUNISHMENT OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.
The proper punishment or treatment of youthful offenders is a question that ha.s for years proved a problem in. New Zealand, as an other parts of the world. It is held, and we agree with the contention, that the youthful offender, if caught in time, can be reclaimed, and in different parts 0f the iOWuintry ijn England experiments are being ' made to. • that end. The plan approved by a board recently appointed to consider the matter is that known as the. 'Borstal' method. A port-ion of the Prison 1 has been set apart for the reception of offenders between the'ages of sixteen and 20. T3iey are subjected to stern discipline amdr hard work, and on discharge en:joy careful' 'supervision. Such a sysr tern, adoptedl all over the country coiuldi not fail to have an excellent effect. The boy of sixteen, wliio is arrested for some petty offence as often as not has been put tip to it by someone older than, himself. It is not crime with him for crime's sake, but i?oon becomes that after he has put in his term, and is once again thrown on the tender mercies of an unsympathetic world. He ought not to be allowed to mingle with criminals oder tban ■himself; for, igive itih^j profeasitonal criminal a chance and ib will not take him long to' corrupt a who'e school of youthful offenders. The training these receive under ithe, Borstal system, prepares them 1 to face the world when they leave prison, and wifchi the recommendations of the prison authorities it ought not to be difficult for them to get honest employment. A succe'sion of short sentences for youthful offenders has been proved to be a failure, and- the Commissioners recommend that Parliament should give power to the court to coimmit for long periods to the care of the State young criminals graduating for a course of 'professional' crime. Surely this expediment might be tried." in New Zealand, where lads are sent to gaol- for seven years. \
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Bibliographic details
Thames Star, Volume XXXX, Issue 10500, 22 November 1902, Page 2
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346The Thames Star. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1902. PUNISHMENT OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS. Thames Star, Volume XXXX, Issue 10500, 22 November 1902, Page 2
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