§ 16 and 18. Mr. Gageasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many escapes were made from Borstal institutes during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1946; the average time between escape and recapture; and the total number of crimes known to have been committed by detainees during such periods of escape;
(2) how many escapes were made from His Majesty's prisons during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1946; the average time between escape and recapture; and the total number of crimes known to have been committed by prisoners during such periods of escape.
§ Mr. EdeThere were, in the course of the year, 41,000 persons detained in prisons, and 4,500 in Borstal Institutions: and there were 165 escapes from prisons, and 662 from Borstal Institutions. I regret that the further information asked for is not available.
§ Mr. GageIs the Home Secretary aware that many of these escapes arise from the practice of governors of Borstal institutions ignoring a lad's previous history when putting him into a position of trust which enables him to escape? Will he take steps to stop this practice?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. I believe that governors exercise a very wise discretion. One has to give a lad this amount of freedom before it can be ascertained whether he is capable of bearing the responsibility. With every one else, I regret that so many fail to shoulder the responsibility properly, but I should be reluctant to indicate to governors that I thought they were exercising their discretion other than wisely.
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodIf a Borstal institution is housed in a prison, is it classified as a Borstal institution or as a prison?