transfer of Dundee prisoners to Perth. This procedure is now followed, but part of the prison at Dundee has been legalised for detention up to 14 days so that untried prisoners and others may be kept there. It will be observed from the Statement of Accounts that the amount received from the sale of discontinued prisons and prison property was £20,681. NUMBERS IN CUSTODY. The numbers admitted to prison, which had shown an increase in 1926, partly due to the labour troubles in that year, now show a fall, the total number of admissions being 16,460, as against 17,690 in 1926 and 15,802 in 1925. The daily average number of prisoners from Scotland was 1,735 as compared with 1,779 in the previous year, but towards the close of the year the numbers in custody showed a distinct tendency to rise. The average length of sentence of imprisonment was 33.17 days, almost exactly the same as in previous years. Prisoners received were classified as follows: The numbers and lengths of sentences imposed during the last five years and a quinquennial average for the five years ended 1914 are shown in the following table : It will be observed that sentences of imprisonment of over one year but not over two years have increased by the same number as that by which Penal Servitude sentences have decreased. As regards classification of crimes of those committed to prisons, it will be seen from Appendix IX that in : Class I-Crimes against the Person-numbered 955 as compared with 1,050 in 1926 and 953 in 1925. The principal increases are : There are decreases of 30 in Assault and 37 in Intimidation. Class II-Crimes against Property with violence, which showed a marked increase in 1926, now show a reduction to 909, which is much nearer the figure of previous years. The principal decrease is in Housebreaking (274), which had shown a large increase in 1926. Class III-Crimes against Property without violence-numbered 2,948 as compared with 3,380 in 1926 and 2,695 in 1925. The principal decrease is in Theft (386). Breach of Trust and Embezzlement show an increase of 23. Class IV-Malicious Injuries to Property-showed a decrease from 267 to 191. This is nearly back to the normal figure. Class V-Forgery, &c.-showed a slight increase, chiefly in Coining (12). Class VI-Other Serious Crimes-showed a decrease from 580 to 135. This figure is much the same as the average for the last few years. The increase last year under this heading and also under Class IV was probably largely due to the labour troubles prevailing during that year. Class VII-Miscellaneous Offences-numbered 11,077 and again show an increase on the previous year, when the figure was 11,012. The increases are in Breach of the Peace and in Drunk and Disorderly. On the other hand there is a decrease in Drunk and Incapable (110) and Prostitution (43). There is also an increase in cases under the Civil Imprisonment Act of 32. The proportion of commitments to population was 3.36 per 1,000; this is a slight decrease from last year's figure. The number of persons committed for the first time was 4,357; last year this figure had risen to 5,600. It is gratifying to observe that the figure is now down to about the same as in 1924 and 1925. The number of juveniles ordered to be whipped was 203, being the lowest on record for many years. In 1918 the number was 747. JUVENILE PRISONERS. These have not been so numerous as in previous years. They continue still to be specially treated at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, and also at Edinburgh Prison. The Governor of Barlinnie Prison reports that the receptions were 612 as compared with 785 the previous year-a decrease of 22 per cent. Recommittals numbered 92. The number received into Edinburgh Prison was 133-13 of whom were recommitted during the year. At both these prisons the lads attend educational classes carried on by the respective Education Authorities, and also Physical Training and Gymnastic Classes conducted by trained members of the Prison Staff. (For Reports see Appendices XL and XLIII.) BORSTAL INSTITUTIONS. The numbers committed to Borstal Institutions, excluding revoked licence-holders, were 127 males and 12 females, as compared with 116 males and 10 females last year. The average daily number of inmates was 256 males and 18 females. The highest number in custody at one time was 295 males and 25 females. The male inmates have been accommodated chiefly at Polmont Institution. It has been practically full throughout the whole year. At the beginning of the year there were 214 in custody and at the close 203. A portion of Edinburgh Prison has been used as an overflow from Polmont, and a number of inmates, ranging from 22 to 37, have been accommodated at that Prison, where they have had excellent training in building work. The policy of sending revoked licence-holders back to Polmont proved in many cases to be unsatisfactory, as those brought back exercised a bad influence upon the remaining inmates. Consequently, while each case is judged on its merits, the majority of revoked licence-holders, especially if they have committed fresh offences while on licence, have been sent to the Institution at Barlinnie. Those in Edinburgh and Barlinnie Institutions are instructed by the local Education Authority teachers. At Polmont the instruction is carried on by the two schoolmasters on the Staff, assisted as required by Warders, and by outside teachers in building construction and principles of agriculture. Liberation on licence has throughout the year been difficult. on account of the scarcity of satisfactory employment, which is a necessary preliminary to liberation. Attention is directed to the report by the Superintendent of Licence-holders dealing with this matter. Special reports are prepared on behalf of the Commissioners for submission to the Court regarding practically every prisoner between the ages of 16 and 21 who is committed before trial. The following table shows the results of such reports during the year, It may be noted that the proportion of those rejected on account of being physically unfit is less than it was in 1925, when a similar table was published. This is owing to the Commissioners having somewhat lowered the standard of physical fitness, while at the same time rejecting those obviously unfit to undergo training in the Borstal Institutions. These reports as usual afford an interesting study. The Governors make enquiries through the Police and also of the parents of those concerned. Note has previously been made of the large proportion who have lost one or both parents in early life. This fact again enters into the reports for 1927. The part played by unemployment in relation to crime committed by young persons is also brought out in a striking manner by a return obtained from Polmont regarding previous employment of 50 inmates received in consecutive order. It is observed almost all those sentenced to Polmont Institution were out of employment at the time they committed the crime. An analysis of the figures shows that the average age at admission. was 18 years 2 months. 43 were idle at the time of committing the offence; 4 were employed selling newspapers; and only 3 were in other employment. The periods of idleness range from one month to two years six months, the average time being one year fourteen days. With one or two exceptions all seem to have obtained employment of some kind on leaving school but to have been unemployed for various periods before conviction. No doubt many of them have been unsatisfactory employees and were consequently the first to be dismissed. Our reports also show that an appreciable number lose their employment on reaching the age of 18, when a higher rate of Insurance becomes payable; in some cases also, if they continued in the same employment they would become automatically entitled to a considerable rise of pay, consequently they are paid off and others taken in their place. While of course idleness does not justify the commission of crime, it can be readily realised how strong temptation is and how frequently boys learn to associate with bad companions when hanging about the streets with nothing to do, and most of them with no other place wherein to spend their time after leaving school. As they are fairly typical of all, the first ten cases in order of admission are summarised as follows: Case. Age. Y. M. A. 17 4 B. 18 2 C. 16 0 D. 17 4 F. 17 5 Employed for a year on leaving school at 14, E. 177 Fairly industrious since leaving school at 14; G. 18 2 There can be little doubt that continued unemployment leads. a boy into bad company and subjects him to strong temptation to procure money by dishonest means when he is unable to obtain it honestly. As regards the subsequent conduct of those liberated on licence. from Borstal Institutions, an exhaustive enquiry was made into the cases of the first thousand who were liberated on licence. These figures were submitted in evidence to the Committee on Young Offenders (Scotland). The figures are of such interest that they are reproduced here, |