Page:First Annual Report of the Woodbury Hill Reformatory.djvu/9

 Of these thirty-seven, four have been removed to other Reformatories, viz: two who had absconded and were recovered, to the Akhbar School Frigate, one to St. Bernard's, and one to Hardwicke; two (one of whom had absconded and been recovered) have been discharged as unfit for Reformatory treatment, one is now at Parkhurst, having absconded in August last, and committed other depredations, and three having absconded, and not yet recovered, have for the present been lost sight of. This leaves twenty-seven, of those admitted in the first year, (three have since been admitted), still in the house, of whom one has run away twice and been recovered, three have run away once and been recoverd, and four are waiting their discharge as cured.

On these subjects I will here offer a few observations, much comment, but not always with a perfect understanding of the case, having been made upon them.

That four boys should thus early be pronounced cured affords no criterion as to the time ordinarily necessary for the work of Reformation in criminal boys. One boy was a Hardwicke boy, who had in fact been two years and a half in a Reformatory, and the others are only fit to go out thus soon, because they were never fit to come in. They were not boys of criminal nature and experience, and it was with much regret that I had to associate them, even under our strict surveillance, with boys who were; though I hope and believe the discipline and teaching has been advantageous and the contact not prejudicial—these scarce considerate, though may—be well-meant committals of non-criminal boys, trouble the managers of Reformatories, no less, and more painfully, than the other extreme of incorrigibles. The committing magistrates of one of these boys, afterwards admitted that they did not believe the lad criminal, even in the matter with which he was charged—but it was well to get him taken care of, away from a parent who they thought was a bad character. To effect this good, so questionable under such circumstances, he has the criminal brand put upon him—a conviction—3 weeks gaol—and a sentence to a Reformatory. What advantage received can efface, or perhaps, in such a case, compensate for this degradation? At all events, as a question which more comes within our province, how is this advantage in such cases to be secured in a society whose staple is presumed to be more vicious than virtuous? Our concern is with boys more or less criminal by habit and profession, and to send us boys who are not at all criminal for fear they should become so, is to put upon us another work in conflict, or at least not in harmony with, that which is ours professedly and legitimately.

Next, with regard to running away. This is not remarkable to anyone who knows anything of boy-nature. Whilst of course it marks