Sept. 6, The yeriarkable decrease in crime and drunkenness is one of the most satisfactory features in modern England. In the year 1913, over 10,000 persons were convicted at' the Assizes and Quarter Sessions of England and Wales; in 1925, the latest year given by Whitaker, 6,639. The decline in drunkenness during the same period is really as-rounding, from 188,877 convictions to only a trifle over 75,000. Some gaols have actually been closed; in others the number of inmates has declined notably. How much of this welcome change is traceable to what are vaguely described as social conditions, experts may decide, But undoubtedly a great deal is due to the new attention concentrated on the rescue of juvenile offenders. The controversy between heredity and environment as the predisposing influence in a child's career, will never be decided. But this at any rate may be said, that environment at least can be controlled, and by its agency many hundreds of children who but a few years ago would inevitably have drifted into crime as their only pri fession, have become decent and ul 'citizens, The estab ment of Children's Courts w:
great step forward. The trial of young offenders takes place if possible in separate buildings, always at different times, from that of adults. The intention is to postpone as long as possible the child's experience of a court of law. Special care is taken to investigate the conditions of the young offender's up-bringing, his record and his mental and physical state. Thenceforward there are three possibilities of treatment, which are described in a very interesting series of articles recently appearing the "Times.'
Of these the Home Office industrial and reformatory schools have been known for fifteen years, At one time they were considerably criticized, There it was said, too much of the' prison atmosphere about them, and the discipline was often brutal. Now, according the "Times" correspondent, they are truly beneficent in: There appears little to diffe entiate them from ordinary schools; care is taken to restrict numbers so that the masters may be able to keep in personal touch with all, and restraints are reduced to a minimum, "From the congested atmosphere of the slums the young offender passes to the fresh air of a country school. Here, for the frst time perhhaps, he will experience the benefit of regular and wholesome meal and at the close of day "the cool kindliness of sheets" and the bewildering luxury of a bed of his own. Habits of cleanliness and li dustry are gradually assimilated, and with the training in loyalty to house or section, for whose honour at work, at play, in conduct and inspired example he tries to play his part, he learns an idealism and interest in life undreamt of in his home. The energies of youth find in this little. commonwealth appropriate outlet."
For three years after the boy's discharge the school is responsible to the Home Office for his welfare and it is remarkable how
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