Page:First Annual Report of the Woodbury Hill Reformatory.djvu/7

 we think of the many and pressing questions, which more or less are receiving elucidation in a Reformatory School, it becomes a duty to furnish from time to time, through a Report, such evidence as each may. The general question of Education—the value of it as a corrective of crime—the peculiar mental and moral conditions on which criminality seems to depend—the social circumstances influencing these—the degree of criminality for which Reformatory treatment is right and proper—the hopefulness or otherwise of such treatment even then—are only some of the large topics which each lad in a Reformatory School presents in his own person. Besides, though philanthropy and political wisdom may have dictated these experiments on a just estimate of their necessity, the very principles and laws for their conduct and regulation await experience and induction for anything like settlement.

Scarce a day passes in such an establishment, without supplying something that might enlighten all concerned from the Committing Magistrate, or even the Legislator, to the Labour Master; and anyone engaged in the work knows how erring, abstract thought, and mere opinion, are apt to be, about the practical operation.

Over and above then the satisfaction and information of those more immediately or locally interested or involved, any Reformatory School may well tell such tale as it has to tell, as furnishing possibly something, however little, bearing on these points, even though being, as this is, individually established and maintained, it has no Committee or Body of Subscribers, to whom to render an account.

The Woodbury Hill Reformatory was certified under 17 & 18, June, 1836, and received its first inmate July 14. It stands on the Western Slope of Woodbury Hill, ten miles from Worcester, in the Parish of Shelsley. The Buildings consist of an adapted Farm House and Premises. The labour consists of field and farm labour, (for which there are ten and half acres at present), and basket making. The land, buildings, fittings up, and all expense beyond the Government allowance, are given by Lord Ward. The Staff consists of Chaplain, Sub-Schoolmaster, Labor-Master, Matron, and Basket Maker. It is under the Inspection of the Government Inspector of Prisons, and the Privy Council Inspector of Workhouse Schools. The Rev. Sydney