LAW, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE 255

well accumulates privileges, and may be released when he has
served three-quarters of his sentence. He is then, however, on
"ticket of leave" for the remaining quarter, and must regularly
report to the police. In these circumstances it is difficult for him
to obtain employment, and this system will before long be
abolished.

There are Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies, which try to
restore the ex-prisoner to normal life and work, but their resources
are limited, and their work consequently unsystematic. State
action in this matter is one of several reforms now overdue in the
penal system; others are, the more intelligent employment of
prisoners* time, the humanising of prison discipline, and a more
thorough training of those who are to be prison officials.

YOUNG OFFENDERS.

The duty of attempting reform is particularly urgent with the
young offender; for his treatment, at his first conflict with the
law, muy well decide his attitude towards society, for the rest of
his life. Court procedure, moreover, has to be made simpler and
less alarming. A large number of Acts, chief of which are the
Children and Young Persons Acts of 1932 and 1933, deal with
this problem, and with the protection of children from cruelty
and evil influences. Consequently, it is now very rare for children
under fourteen, and comparatively rare for young persons under
seventeen to be tried on indictment. They may appear before the
ordinary Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, but are frequently
dealt with by Juvenile Courts, composed of magistrates chosen
for their special fitness for the work. If possible, these courts
must find a place other than a police station or police court for
their sittings; the public are excluded and the Press forbidden to
report the offenders* names. The court will acquaint itself with
the home circumstances of the culprit, and with the opinions of
his parents, teachers, or employers. The only punishment which
may be inflicted under this procedure is that of birching for boys
under fourteen 5 the abolition of this punishment was recom-