In this place, since 1903, the Prison Commissioners have conducted experiments with regard to young male prisoners from which they have evolved the system to which the old prison has given its name. “In reality, it is an attempt by the State, to rescue young persons from a life of crime and fit them for an honest industrial life. It is unnecessary to point out the value of such work nor to say that it is a new departure from the ordinary aims of penal administration. “Of course there were many difficulties in the way and the Prison Commissioners found themselves hampered by lack of funds; the State being chary in giving requisite support. But in 1908 the system, having proved abundantly successful, became part and parcel of the penal system of the country and in 1909 prisons dealing only with the young offenders between the ages of 16 and 21 became Borstal institutions. “Now a word in explanation of the method of selecting the inmates and their treatment. In 1908 the prevention of Crimes Act was passed, several clauses of which dealt with the reformation of young offenders. That they may be perfectly understood, they are given in full: “Where a person is convicted on indictment for an offense for which he is liable to be sent to penal servitude or imprisonment and it appears to the Court, first, that the person is not less than 16 nor more than 21 years of age, and second, that by reason of his criminal tendencies or habits, or association with persons of bad character, it is expedient that he should be subject to detention for such a term and under such instruction and discipline as appears most conducive to his reformation and the repression of crime, it should be lawful for the Court, in lieu of passing a sentence of penal servitude, or imprisonment, to pass a sentence of detention under penal discipline in the Borstal institution for a term not less than one year and not more than three years; and for the purpose of this act the Secretary of State may establish Borstal Institutions, that is to say, places where young offenders may be given, while under detention, industrial training and instruction. “This Act also gives power to the Prison Commissioners to discharge on license, such offenders as they think fitted for conditional liberty, but no license can be granted until the offender has served at least six months of his sentence and every offender whether he is released on license or has served his complete sentence, remains after his discharge under the supervision of the Prison Commissioners for several months. “Another part of this Act provides that young offenders sentenced to the Borstal treatment must be of good physical and mental health and further provides that young men, up to the age of 23 may now be admitted to Borstal institutions.”