§ Captain Pluggeasked the Home Secretary how many boys have escaped from Borstal in the last three months; how many have been recaptured; and whether he is satisfied that the staff is adequate for the purpose of supervision?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonDuring the last three months of 1941, 46 of the youths at this institution made escapes. All but one were recaptured. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows it is the object of Borstal training to teach lads habits of work and self-discipline, and this object would be defeated if these institutions were given the security of prisons. At this institution the inmates are mainly employed in the cultivation of farm land outside the institution itself. I am very anxious that proper measures shall be taken to check these escapes, which cause considerable trouble especially to the police of the neighbourhood. I do not think that the problem can be solved by any additions to the staff which it would be practicable to provide, but I am having the position carefully examined for the purpose of seeing what further security measures can be taken.