Newspaper cuttings for 1817
The Times October 30 1817
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
SIR. - The public have lately had the subject of youthful depravity brought before them in different ways. The Police Report shows that, in the last year, nearly 2,000 culprits under 20 years of age were confined in the prisons of the metropolis alone ; about 1,300 were under 17 years of age, while 957 of this tender age were confined for felonies. This is, however, but a small portion of the evil which is felt throughout the country at large ; as the different assizes of late years and the present state of the provincial prisons can testify. The Police Committee recommends a penitentiary system for juvenile offenders in the metropolis. Subscribing most heartily to the penitentiary system, I doubt whether the metropolis would be a proper place for the experiment in question, and apprehend that some distant spot should be selected as a general place of reception both for the depraved youth of London and the country. In this way three great objects would be attained : 1st. Deliverance from the moral contagion of a large capital ; 2nd. Employment in the open air ; 3rd. Provision for future maintenance. The prison of Dartmoor, now entirely unoccupied and useless, appears to combine all these advantages. This building is capable of containing 10,000 young persons, and is at once sufficiently distant from the former companions and haunts of these offenders, while it possesses great advantages from its situation in respect of water-carriage ; it is also placed in a part of the country where provisions can be contracted for at a very cheap rate ; a proper supervision would, at no great expense, supply the application of the prisoner's industry in the neighbourhood with great advantage to a large uncultivated tract; and on continued good behaviour, the Newfoundland fisheries and other seafaring occupations upon the coast of Devon and Cornwall would offer the reclaimed character an ultimate and profitable destination, and afford a nursery for the navy of England. The females, who, from the Police Returns, only bear a proportion of one fourth to the number of males, might be usefully employed in domestic work, washing, &c. ; and it is hardly to be doubted that, the interests of the country at large, and of the prisoners in particular, would be greatly promoted by these three objects of complete banishment from vicious pursuits and criminal connections - the supply of constant labour - and the prospect of future means of support, with restored character, I am, &c. J. P.
Morning Chronicle 5 December 1817
YOUTHFUL DEPRAVITY. - The Police Report shews, that in the last year nearly 2000 culprits, under 20 years of age, were confined in the prisons of the metropolis alone ; about 1300 of whom were under 17 years of age, while 957 of this early age were confined for felonies. The Police Committee recommends a penitentiary system for juvenile offenders in the metropolis. But probably a more suitable place may be found at Dartmoor Prison, formerly occupied by French prisoners ; and that, after due trial, employment might be found in the Newfoundland fishery, etc.
YOUTHFUL DEPRAVITY. - The Police Report shews, that in the last year nearly 2000 culprits, under 20 years of age, were confined in the prisons of the metropolis alone ; about 1300 of whom were under 17 years of age, while 957 of this early age were confined for felonies. The Police Committee recommends a penitentiary system for juvenile offenders in the metropolis. But probably a more suitable place may be found at Dartmoor Prison, formerly occupied by French prisoners ; and that, after due trial, employment might be found in the Newfoundland fishery, etc.
Morning Chronicle 6 December 1817
TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.
Sir, I see it proposed in a paragraph in your paper of this day, to appropriate Dartmoor prison as a penitentiary for juvenile delinquents. I apprehend the appropriation of that prison would not answer all the benevolent purposes of the Committee of the House of Commons. The mischief of the present system consists in the intercourse between the youths committed for trial, and older offenders, in the crowded prison of the Metropolis. The Committee, therefore, proposed that a prison should be built for these young culprits, in which they might not merely pass the terms of imprisonment to which they may be sentenced, but the time previous to their trials. When it is observed how often these youths are committed and discharged, it will be found that the greater portion of the time which they pass in prison comes under the latter description. Now, if any expence be incurred to fit up Dartmoor as a Penitentiary a new expence will still be necessary to provide a place in the metropolis, or one great root of the evil will not be destroyed. Dec. 5 Your obedient servant, W.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.
Sir, I see it proposed in a paragraph in your paper of this day, to appropriate Dartmoor prison as a penitentiary for juvenile delinquents. I apprehend the appropriation of that prison would not answer all the benevolent purposes of the Committee of the House of Commons. The mischief of the present system consists in the intercourse between the youths committed for trial, and older offenders, in the crowded prison of the Metropolis. The Committee, therefore, proposed that a prison should be built for these young culprits, in which they might not merely pass the terms of imprisonment to which they may be sentenced, but the time previous to their trials. When it is observed how often these youths are committed and discharged, it will be found that the greater portion of the time which they pass in prison comes under the latter description. Now, if any expence be incurred to fit up Dartmoor as a Penitentiary a new expence will still be necessary to provide a place in the metropolis, or one great root of the evil will not be destroyed. Dec. 5 Your obedient servant, W.