NCJ Number
93594
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1984) Pages: 49-62
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reports the results of 25 years of study of a group of 200 borstal boys who received an initial conviction in 1953-1955.
Abstract
About half of the boys did not pass the military physical, conscription still in effect in the 1950's. For those who did pass, half left the service with a trade and a means to bury the past. The remainder could not tolerate army discipline and usually went absent without leave. Military experience and marriage were two life experiences that affected the boys criminality. Marriage was a stabilizing force. Many married toward the end of supervision and when coming out of the military. Probation reports contained numerous references to the changes the boys underwent at marriage. Stability within the first 5 years of release from borstal was a highly significant factor in predicting future criminality. Two tables, two figures, and 10 references are included.