R.RANKINasked the Home Secretary what was the average prison population during 1934 of youths and girls under the age of 21, respectively; and whether he will consider the desirability of arranging for the extension of the probationary system for young offenders?
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Captain CROOKSHANKExcluding those on remand, or awaiting trial, or awaiting removal to Borstal institutions, the daily average number during 1934 of persons in prison who were under the age of 21 on committal was 337 youths and 25 girls. Under the existing law the Courts have wide powers to use the Probation of Offenders Act in any case where they think it expedient to do so, and extensive use is made of these powers. In a Home Office circular issued to all courts in 1928, attention was called to the desirability of dealing with young offenders by other methods than imprisonment whenever practicable; but the decision as to what is the appropriate treatment in individual cases must rest with the courts.