Britain: An official handbook > 1959

g4 BRITAIN: AN OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
The period during which a child or young person may be detained in an approved
school is determined by law. In Great Britain it is three years, except for children
under the age of 12 years and 4 months at the time of committal, who may be kept
until the age of 15 years and 4 months, and those over the age of 16 on committal,
who can be detained only up to the age of 19, or 19! if they have been found guilty
of absconding or of serious misconduct in an approved school. Managers of all
approved schools are under an obligation to review the progress of each child in
their school towards the end of the first year of detention and thereafter at least
quarterly, with a view to granting a release on licence as soon as the situation
warrants it. . .
Statutory responsibility for after-care rests on the school managers. A boy or girl
on release remains under the care of the managers during the periods of licence and
supervision. The period of licence lasts until the expiry of the time for which the
boy or girl might have been legally detained in the school. The period of super¬
vision lasts for three years more, or until the boy or girl reaches the age of 21
whichever is the shorter period. Managers are assisted in their after-care work by
welfare officers and social service organisations.
Attendance Centres
Thirty-seven attendance centres have been established in England and Wales to
deal with boys between the ages of 12 and 17 found guilty of offences for which an
adult can be sentenced to imprisonment. This form of treatment, started in 1950,
is designed to teach young offenders a respect for the law and to give them some
instruction in the proper use of leisure. Boys ordered to attend must do so during
their spare time on Saturday mornings or afternoons; they may be required to
attend for up to three hours on any one occasion and for not more than twelve
hours in all. The activities include a period of instruction in handicrafts, or a lecture
(e.g., on first aid) and a period of physical training or disciplinary tasks under
supervision. Efforts are made at the centres to induce the boys to join a youth club
or other suitable organisation.
Detention Centres
Detention centres are designed to provide a ‘short sharp shock for those who
have not yet developed a definitely anti-social attitude, but who need to be taught
that the law cannot be defied with impunity. The offender is normally sent to the
centre for three months, though in certain circumstances the courts have power to
commit for a shorter or longer term up to a maximum of six months. The regime
is designed to deprive the boy of his liberty and of all the elements of what he
thinks of as a ‘good time’, and to oblige him to live a brisk, disciplined life, main¬
taining the highest possible standards at the highest possible tempo. Each boy in
a detention centre must be alert, punctual and tidy, and emphasis is placed on the
inculcation of obedience, cleanliness and good manners. The routine provides a
normal working week of 44 hours, including one hour daily devoted to physical
training. Boys of compulsory school age receive full-time education, and classes of
further education are provided for others in the evenings. In 1958 there were four
detention centres in England and Wales—two junior centres for boys over 14 and
under 17, accommodating about 7° anc^ 6° boys respectively, and two senior
centres for boys over 17 and under 21, accommodating about 75 boys and 65 boys,
respectively.
Borstal Institutions
There are various types of borstal institution, which aim to provide suitable
conditions and training courses for different types of young offenders between the