§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Home Secretary whether, in accordance with the regulation that juvenile adults up to 23 years of age may be committed to Borstal institutions instead of to prison, he will direct that no young person under 23 years shall be kept in an adult 2277W prison under any circumstances; and will he issue a circular to magistrates directing that greater use be made of the probation system?.
§ Mr. LLOYDWhen the Order extending to persons under 23 years of age the provisions of the Prevention of Crime Act, 1908, relating to Borstal detention has been made, my right hon. Friend proposes to send to the courts a circular letter on the subject, and in this letter to draw special attention to the desirability of avoiding imprisonment for young offenders in all cases where other methods are practicable. I am afraid, however, that it would not be possible to give effect to the hon. Member's suggestion that when a young offender is sentenced to imprisonment he should not be committed to a prison containing older offenders. As regards the last part of the question, I believe that magistrates generally are fully aware of the desirability of using the probation2278W system in all suitable cases, but, as is shown by the recent report of the Committee on the Social Services of the Courts, there is need for improvements in the probation service, and the question of what steps my Department can take to assist in bringing about such improvements is now engaging close attention.