HC Deb 07 March 1932 vol 262 cc1477-8
54. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that in certain cases licences are granted on compassionate grounds to Borstal inmates who have been ordered by the courts to undergo long terms of detention; and will he state on what considerations the Borstal authorities act in cases of the kind?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)

My attention has been called to some observations made at a recent trial at Leeds, in which two ex-Borstal Inmates were said to have been released on compassionate grounds. There must have been some misunderstanding in the matter as Borstal inmates are never released for that reason. An inmate is frequently released after the expiration of six months or in the case of a female of three months of the sentence if the Prison Commissioners are satisfied that, in the words of the statute there is a reasonable probability that he will abstain from crime and lead a useful and industrious life. I am endeavouring to ascertain how the misunderstanding arose.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that no element of compassion enters into the consideration of these releases?

Sir H. SAMUEL

Not Statutory.