Borstal

In the United Kingdom, a Borstal was a juvenile detention centre, prison or reformatory, an institution of the criminal justice system, intended to reform delinquent youths aged between about 16 and 21.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Detention centre - Prison - Reformatory - Criminal justice

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The Gladstone Committee (1895) proposed the concept, wishing to separate youths from older men in adult prisons. It was the task of Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise (1857-1935), a prison commissioner, to introduce the system and the first institution was established at Borstal Prison in Borstal, near Rochester in north Kent in 1902. A road adjoining the original institution is named after him.

Related Topics:
1895 - Prison - Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise - Borstal Prison - Borstal - Rochester - Kent - 1902

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The regime in these institutions was highly regulated, with a focus on education, routine, discipline and authority. Breaking the rules could result in physical punishment.

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The Criminal Justice Act 1982 abolished the borstal system, introducing youth custody centres instead.

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