The Development of Reformatory Schools

1854   First Youthful Offenders Act

Any person under 16 convicted of an offence could be detained in Reformatory School for not less than two and not more than five years, provided that he was also sentenced to at least 14 days' imprisonment.


1866   Reformatory Act

A Reformatory was defined as : - "A school fitted for the reception of youthful offenders." The period of essential preliminary imprisonment was modified to ten days or longer, and offenders under the age of ten could not now be directed to Reformatory Schools unless previously convicted. 

1893   Act

Previous Acts were amended and the offender could now be sent to a Reformatory School without imprisoment. The age limit for admission was raised to 12 unless the offender had been already convicted, while the upper age limit was reduced from 21 to 19. 


1899   The Reformatory Act

The practice of sentencing an offender to imprisonment in addition to ordering him to a Certified Reformatory School was abolished.

1908   The Children Act

The expression Reformatory School was defined as:- "A school for the industrial training of youthful offenders in which youthful offenders are lodged, clothed and fed, as well as taught."

A youthful offender who was over 12 and under 16 could be sent to a Reformatory if he had committed an offence for which an adult would be sentenced. He could not be detained after attaining the age of 19.