During first half of the 20th century the British government went about developing new penal policies that emphasised a process of reform rather than punishment for individuals. Young criminal offenders were removed from the adult section of the justice system and were offered opportunities of probation in 1907. Probation is where an offender is released early from custody due to a period of good behaviour.

Schools known as Borstal schools were opened up in 1902, the first one in Kent. The aim of these schools was to turn young offenders into upright, respected citizens. Rules were relaxed so that prisoners could attempt to lead normal lives. At this time, unemployment and family problems often led to previous prisoners getting back into a life of crime. They were given meaningful roles of work (including pay) and more frequent family visits.

Even with these new measures, for example, the open prison in New Hall, Wakefield which opened in 1933, crime continued to increase. Young people often found themselves involved in violent crime, including football hooliganism.

Borstals:

These were prisons only for boys, first established in 1902. They were set up as a national system under the 1908 Prevention of Crime Act. Borstals emphasised education in the process of reform. Reoffending rates were estimated at around 30% in the 1930s, but 60% today. The borstal system was abandoned under the Criminal Justice Act of 1982.

Reform:

Moving into the 1940s, the Labour government was more fixated on ideas of reform rather than punishment. They improved the system and opportunities for probation. They amended the Criminal Justice Act in 1948: graduated prison system (dependent on the severity of a crime), detention centres to deter young criminals and attendance centres where young people would go for rehabilitation on the weekends.

More government reforms in the 1960s, favoured the treatment of young offenders by probation officers and social workers. The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 and 1969 altered the means of treatment for young criminals. The government wanted more of a focus on protecting and caring for these young children and understanding why they would get involved in a life of crime.