NCJ Number
29602
Date Published
1970
Length
163 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE ENGLISH BORSTALS BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH A SAMPLE GROUP OF EX-INMATES AFTER THEIR RELEASE.
Abstract
WHAT EMERGES IS A PICTURE OF YOUNG MEN MAKING A SUPERFICIAL ADJUSTMENT TO A SITUATION FOR WHICH THEY ARE IN MANY WAYS ILL-PREPARED. THE DATA ON THEIR BACKGROUNDS GIVE A CLEAR POINTER TO THE SOCIAL STRATUM FROM WHICH THEY ARE DRAWN, AND THE INFORMATION THEY GIVE CONCERNING THE NORMAL PATTERN OF THEIR LIVES LEADS TO A REALIZATION OF HOW UNREAL TO THEM IS THE INSTITUTIONAL SETTING. THE FACT EMERGES, NEVERTHELESS, THAT THE MAJORITY HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE FORMS OF CUSTODIAL TRAINING. THE TOTAL TIME SO SPENT BY SOME LADS APPEARS INDEFENSIBLE. WITH REGARD TO THEIR BORSTAL SENTENCE, MOST SAW IT AS SOCIAL RETALIATION AND NOT AS TRAINING FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)