§ Captain Pluggeasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there have been recently a number of escapes of boys from the Borstal Institution, Rochester; that several houses in the district have been broken into and that this is causing considerable apprehension in the district, particularly in the case of ladies who are living alone; and whether he will take steps to ensure that greater control is exercised over these boys?
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§ Mr. H. MorrisonYes, Sir, I am aware that there have been a considerable number of escapes from Rochester Borstal Institution and I fully recognise and sympathise with the anxiety and trouble caused to local residents. The question of reducing the number of escapes from this Institution has been receiving close attention, and certain steps have recently been taken to this end. I am glad to be able to say that though the population is higher this year than in 1942, there have been fewer escapes this year than in the corresponding period last year, and there has been a further decline in the last two months which I have reason to hope will be maintained. My hon. Friend will, however, appreciate that a Borstal Institution is not intended to be run on prison lines and that Borstal training is not compatible with complete safe custody, since it is an essential feature of the system that those who respond to training should be given a gradually increasing measure of freedom. Much thought has been given to this problem and every effort is being made, and will continue to be made, to reduce the number of escapes to a minimum.