`` Reformatory Schools 1897: Act VIII CONTENTS I–Preliminary 1. Title, commencement and extent 2. Repealed 3. Repealed 4. Definitions II–Reformatory Schools 5. Power to establish and discontinue Reformatory Schools 6. Requisites of schools 7. Inspection of Reformatory Schools 8. Power of Courts to direct youthful offenders to be sent to Reformatory Schools 9. Procedure where Magistrate is not empowered to pass an order under section 8 10. Power of Magistrates to direct boys under fifteen sentenced to imprisonment to be sent to Reformatory Schools 11. Preliminary enquiry and finding as to age of youthful offender 12. Government to determine Reformatory School to which such offenders shall be sent 13. Persons found to be over eighteen years not to be detained in Reformatory Schools 14. Discharge or removal by order of Government 15. Agreement between Provinces 16. Certain orders not subject to appeal or revision III–Management of Reformatory Schools 17. Appointment of Superintendent and Committee of Visitors or Board of Management 18. Superintendent may license youthful offenders to employers of labour 19. Cancellation of license 20. Determination of license (VIII of 1897) THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS ACT, 1897 21. Cancellation of license in case of ill-treatment 22. Superintendent to be deemed guardian of youthful offenders Power to apprentice youthful offender 23. Duties of Committee of Visitors 24. Powers of Board of Management 25. Power to appoint Trustees o r other Managers of a school to be a Board of Management 26. Power of Board to make rules IV–Offences in relation to Reformatory Schools 27. Penalty for introduction or removal or supply of prohibited articles and communication with youthful offenders 28. Penalty for abetting escape of youthful offender 29. Arrest of escaped youthful offender V–Miscellaneous 30. Repealed 31. Power to deal in other ways with youthful offenders including girls 32. Procedure when youthful offender under detention in a Reformatory School is again convicted and sentenced TEXT 1 THE REFORMATORY SCHOOLS ACT, 1897 (VIII of 1897) [13th March, 1897] An Act to amend the law relating to Reformatory Schools and to make further provision for dealing with youthful offenders. WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law relating to Reformatory Schools and to make further provision for dealing with youthful offenders; It is hereby enacted as follows:– I.–Preliminary 1. Title, commencement and extent .– (1) This Act may be called the Reformatory Schools Act, 1897; 2 [*] 3 [(2) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *] 4 [(3) This section and section 2 shall extend to 5 [the whole of Pakistan]. 6 [The other sections shall extend in the first instance to Sind an d the Karachi Division and East Pakistan, but the Government of 7 [the Punjab] may at any time, by notification in the official Gazette, extend these sections to other parts of 8 [the Punjab] from such day as may be fixed in any such notification.]] 9 [2. Repeal of Act V of 1876.– * * * * * * * * * * *] 1 [3. Section 399 of Act X of 1882 repealed on date fixed by a notification under section 1, sub-section (3).– * * * * * * * * * * *] 1This Act was published in the Gazette of India, dated: 13 March 1897, pp. 21-26. For statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1896, Part V, p. 187; for Report of the Select Committee, see ibid., 1397, Part VI, p. 55; and for Proceedings in Council see ibid., 1896, Part V pp. 222 and 251; and ibid., 1896, Part VI, pp. 44 and 68. 2The word “and” was repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1914 (X of 1914), published in the Gazette of India, dated: 21 March 1914, pp. 47- 59, s. 3 read with the Second Schedule. 3Repealed ibid. 4Substituted by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (G.G.O. No. 4 of 1949), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 28 March 1949, pp. 223-283, Article 3 read with the Schedule. 5Substituted for the words “all the Provinces” by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (XXI of 1960); assented to by the President on 7 June 1960; and, was published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 9 June 1960, pp. 725 - 845, s. 3 read with the Second Schedule: it came into force on 14 October 1955. 6Substituted by the Central Adaptation of Laws Order, 1964 (P. O. No. 1 of 1964); made by the President on 27 May 1964; and, was published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 28 Ma y 1964, pp. 251c -251aap, Article 2 read with the Schedule. 7Substituted for the words “West Pakistan” by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1974 (P.O.No.1 of 1974) , published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 20 November 1974, pp. 1425 -A to 14 25-PP, Article 2 read with the Schedule: it came into force on 14 August 1973. 8Ibid. 9Repealed by the Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938), published in the Gazette of India, dated: 5 March 1938, pp. 1 -20, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 4. Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,– (a) “youthful offender” means any boy who has been convicted of any offence punishable with transportation or imprisonment and who, at the time of such conviction, was under the age of fifteen years; (b) “Inspector-General” includes any officer appointed by the 2 [Provincial Government] to perform all or any of the duties imposed by this Act on the Inspector-General; and 3 [(c) “District Magistrate” * * * * * * * * * * * *] II.—Reformatory Schools 5. Power to establish and discontinue Reformatory Schools .– 4 [* * * * *], the 5 [Provincial Government] may– (a) establish and maintain Reformatory Schools at such places as it may think fit; (b) use as Reformatory Schools schools kept by persons willing to act in conformity with such rules, consistent with this Act, as the 6 [Provincial Government] may prescribe in this behalf; (c) direct that any school so established or used shall cease to exist as a Reformatory School or to be used as such. 6. Requisites of schools.– Every school so established or used must provide– (a) sufficient means of separating the inmates at night; (b) proper sanitary arrangements, water -supply, food, clothing and bedding for the youthful offenders detained therein; (c) the means of giving such youthful offenders industrial training; (d) an infirmary or proper place for the reception of such youthful offenders when sick. 7. Inspection of Reformatory Schools.– (1) Every school intended to be established or used as a Reformatory School shall, before being used as such, be inspected by the Inspector- General, and if he finds that the requirements of section 6 have been complied with, and that, in his opinion, such school is fitted for the reception of such you thful offenders as may be sent there under this Act, he shall certify to that effect, and such certificate shall be published in the 7 [Official Gazette], together with an order of the 8 [Provincial Government] establishing the school 1Repealed by the Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938), published in the Gazette of India, dated: 5 March 1938, pp. 1 -20, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 3Omitted by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (G.G.O. No. 4 of 1949), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 28 March 1949, pp. 223-283, Article 3 read with the Schedule. 4The words “With the previous sanction of the Governor-General in Council” were omitted by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (IV of 1914), published in the Gazette of India, dated: 28 February 1914, pp. 21-32, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 6Ibid. 7Substituted for the words “local official Gazette” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 19 37, pp. 75 -344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 8Ibid., for the words “Local Government”. as a Reformatory School or directing that it shall be used as such, and the school shall thereupon be deemed to be a Reformatory School. (2) Every such school shall, from time to time, and at least once in every year, be visited by the said Inspector -General, who shall send t o the 1 [Provincial Government] a report on the condition of the school in such form as the 2 [Provincial Government] may prescribe. 8. Power of Courts to direct youthful offenders to be sent to Reformatory Schools.– (1) Whenever any youthful offender is se ntenced to transportation or imprisonment, and is, in the judgment of the Court by which he is sentenced, a proper person to be an inmate of a Reformatory School, the Court may, subject to any rules made by the 3 [Provincial Government], direct that, instea d of undergoing his sentence, he shall be sent to such a school, and be there detained for a period which shall be not less than three or more than seven years. (2) The powers so conferred on the court by this section shall be exercised only by (a) the High Court, (b) a Court of Session, (c) a District Magistrate, and (d) any Magistrate specially empowered by the 4 [Provincial Government] in this behalf, and may be exercised by such Courts whether the case comes before them originally or on appeal. (3) The 5 [Provincial Government] may make rules for– (a) defining what youthful offenders should be sent to Reformatory Schools, having regard to the nature of their offences or other considerations, and (b) regulating the periods for which youthful offenders may be sent to such schools according to their ages or other considerations. 9. Procedure where Magistrate is not empowered to pass an order under section 8.– (1) When any Magistrate not empowered to pass an order under the last foregoing section is of opinion that a youthful offender convicted by him is a proper person to be an inmate of a Reformatory School, he may, without passing sentence, record such opinion and submit his proceedings and forward the youthful offender to the District Magistrate to whom he is subordinate. (2) The Magistrate to whom the proceedings are so submitted may make such further inquiry (if any) as he may think fit and pass such sentence and order for the detention in a Reformatory Sch ool of the youthful offender, or otherwise, as he might have passed if such youthful offender had been originally tried by him. 10. Power of Magistrates to direct boys under fifteen sentenced to imprisonment to be sent to Reformatory Schools .– The officer in charge of a prison in which a youthful offender is confined, in execution of a sentence of imprisonment, may bring him, if he has not then attained the age of fifteen years, before the District Magistrate within whose jurisdiction such prison is situat e; and such Magistrate may, if such youthful offender appears to be a proper person to be an inmate of a Reformatory School, direct that, instead of undergoing the residue of his sentence, he shall be sent to a Reformatory School, and there detained for a period which shall be subject to the same limitations as are prescribed by or under section 8, with reference to the period of detention thereby authorised. 1Ibid. 2Ibid. 3Ibid. 4Ibid. 5Ibid. 11. Preliminary enquiry and finding as to age of youthful offender .– (1) Before directing any youthful offender to be sent to a Reformatory School under section 8, section 9 or section 10, the Court or Magistrate shall inquire into the question of his age and, after taking such evidence (if any) as may be deemed necessary, shall record a finding thereo n, stating his age as nearly as may be. (2) A similar inquiry shall be made and finding recorded by every Magistrate not empowered to pass an order under section 8 before submitting his proceedings and forwarding the youthful offender to the District Ma gistrate as required by section 9, sub - section (1). 12. Government to determine Reformatory School to which such offenders shall be sent .– Every youthful offender directed by a Court or Magistrate to be sent to a Reformatory School shall be sent to such R eformatory School as the 1 [Provincial Government] may by general or special order appoint for the reception of youthful offenders so dealt with by such Court or Magistrate: Provided that, if accommodation in a Reformatory School is not immediately available for such youthful offender, he may be detained in the juvenile ward or such other suitable part of a prison as the 2 [Provincial Government] may direct– (a) until he can be sent to a Reformatory School, or (b) until the term of his original sentence expires, whichever event may first happen. Should the term of his original sentence first expire, he shall thereupon be released, but, should he be sent to a Reformatory School, then the period of detention previously undergone shall be treated as detention in a Reformatory School. 13. Persons found to be over eighteen years not to be detained in Reformatory Schools.– (1) If at any time after a youthful offender has been sent to a Reformatory School it appears to the Committee of Visitors or Board of Management, as the case may be, that the age of such youthful offender has been understated in the order for detention, and that he will attain the age of eighteen years before the expiration of the period for which he has been ordered to be detained, they shall report the case for the orders of the 3 [Provincial Government]. (2) No person shall be detained in a Reformatory School after he has been found by the 4 [Provincial Government] to have attained the age of eighteen years. 14. Discharge or removal by order of Government.– The 5 [Provincial Government] may at any time order any youthful offender– (a) to be discharged from a Reformatory School; (b) to be removed from one Reformatory School to another such school situate within the territories subject to such Government: Provided that the whole period of his detention in a Reformatory School shall not be increased by such removal. 1 [15. Agreement between Provinces .– The Provincial Governments of any two Provinces may after mutual agreement, generally or specially, notify in their respective 1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1 937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 3Ibid. 4Ibid. 5Ibid. Official Gazettes that any Reformatory School situated in one of th e Provinces shall be available for the reception of youthful offenders directed to be sent to a Reformatory School by any Court or magistrate in the other Province and may thereupon make provision for the removal of youthful offenders accordingly.] 16. Certain orders not subject to appeal or revision .– Nothing contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1882 2 , shall be construed to authorise any Court or Magistrate to alter or reverse in appeal or revision any order passed with respect to the age of a yout hful offender or the substitution of an order for detention in a Reformatory School for transportation or imprisonment. III.—Management of Reformatory Schools 17. Appointment of Superintendent and Committee of Visitors or Board of Management.– (1) For the control and management of every Reformatory School the 3 [Provincial Government] shall appoint either (a) a Superintendent and a Committee of Visitors, or (b) a Board of Management. (2) Every Committee and every Board so appointed must consist of not less than five persons 4 [.] 5 [* * * * * * *]. (3) The 6 [Provincial Government] may suspend or remove any Superintendent or any Member of a Committee or Board so appointed. 18. Superintendent may license youthful offenders to employers of labour.– (1) Every Superintendent so appointed may, with the sanction of the Committee, by license under his hand permit any youthful offender sent to a Reformatory School, who has attained the age of fourteen years, to live under the charge of any trustworthy and respectable person named in the license, or any officer of Government or of a Municipality, being an employer of labour and willing to receive and take charge of him, on the condition that the employer shall keep such youthful offender employed at some trade, occupation or calling. (2) The license shall be in force for three months and no longer, but may, at any time and from time to time until the expiration of the period for which the youthful offender has been directed to be detained, be renewed for three months at a time. 19. Cancellation of license .– The license shall be cancelled at the desire of the employer named in the license. 20. Determination of license .– If during the term of the license the employer named therein dies, or ceases from business or to employ labour, or the period for which the 1Substituted ibid., Article 3 read with the First Schedule. 2X of 1882. Now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898). 3Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 4Replaced for the “comma” by the Reformatory Schools (Punjab Amendment) Ordinance, 1984 (XXIX of 1984), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 17 December 1984, pp. 2045-2046, s. 2. 5The words “of whom two at leas t shall be citizens of Pakistan” were omitted ibid. The words “citizens of” were earlier substituted for the words “British subjects domiciled in” by the Central Laws (Adaption) Order, 1961 (P.O. No. 1 of 1961); ma de by the Minister exercising the functions of President under Article 2 of the State Arrangements Order, 1959 on 21 January 1961; and, was published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 24 January 1961, pp. 102 -163, Article 2 read with the Schedule: it came into force on 23 March 1956. The words “British subjects domiciled in Pakistan” were earlier substituted for the words “Natives of India” by the Adaptation of Central Acts and Ordinances Order, 1949 (G.G.O. No. 4 of 1949), published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 28 March 1949, pp. 223-283, Article 3 read with the Schedule. 6Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. youthful offender has been directed to be detained in the Reformatory School expires, the license shall thereupon cease and determine. 21. Cancellation of license in case of ill -treatment.– If it appears to the Superintendent that the employer has ill-treated the youthful offender, or has not adequately provided for his lodging and maintenance, the Superintendent may cancel the license. 22. Superintendent to be deemed guardian of youthful offenders .– (1) The Superintendent of a Reformatory School shall be deemed to be the guardian of every youthful offender detained in such school, within the meaning of 1 Act No. XIX of 1850 (concerning the binding of apprentices). (2) Power to apprentice youthful offender.– If it appears to the Superintendent that any youthful offender licensed under section 18 has behaved well during one or more periods of his license, the Superintendent may, with the sanction of the Committee, apprentice him under the provisions of the said Act, and on such apprenticement the right to detain such youthful offender in a Reformatory School shall cease and the unexpired term (if any) of his sentence shall be cancelled. 23. Duties of Committee of Visitors.– (1) Every Committee of Visitors appointed under section 17 for a Reformatory School shall, at least once in every month,– (a) visit the school, to hear complaints and see that the requirements of section 6 have been complied with, and that the management of the school is proper in all respects; (b) examine the punishment-book; (c) bring any special cases to the notice of the Inspector General; and (d) see that no person is illegally detained in the school. (2) If any member of a Committee of Visitors so appointed fails or neglects, during a p eriod of six consecutive months, to visit the school and assist in the discharge of the duties aforesaid, he shall cease to be a member of such Committee. 24. Powers of Board of Management.– If, in exercise of the power conferred by section 17, the 2 [Provincial Government] appoints a Board of Management for any Reformatory School, such Board shall have the powers and perform the functions of the Superintendent under sections 18 to 22, both inclusive; and the license mentioned in section 18 may be under the hand of their chairman; and they shall be deemed to be the guardians of the youthful offenders detained in such school. 25. Power to appoint Trustees or other Managers of a school to be a Board of Management.– The 3 [Provincial Government] may declare any body of Trustees or Managers of a school, who are willing to act in conformity with the rules referred to in section 5, clause (b), to be a Board of Management under this Act, and thereupon such body or Managers shall have all the powers and perform all the functions of such Board of Management. 1The Apprentices Act, 1850. 2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 3Ibid. 26. Power of Board to make rules .– (1) With the previous sanction of the 1 [Provincial Government], every Board of Management of a Reformatory School may from time to time make rules consistent with this Act– (i) to pr escribe the articles which are to be deemed to be “prohibited articles”; and (ii) to regulate– (a) the conduct of business of the Board; (b) the management of the school; (c) the education and industrial training of youthful offenders; (d) visits to, and communication with, youthful offenders; (e) the terms and conditions under which any articles declared by the Board to be “prohibited articles” may be introduced into or removed out of the school; (f) the manner in which such articles are to be removed when introduced without due authority; (g) the conditions and limitations under which such articles may be supplied outside the school to any youthful offender under order of detention therein; (h) the conditions on which the possession by any such youthful of fender of such articles may be sanctioned; (i) the penalties to be imposed for the supply or possession of such articles when supplied or possessed without due authority; (j) the punishment of offences committed by youthful offenders; and (k) the granting of licenses for the employment of youthful offenders. (2) In the absence of a Board of Management the 2 [Provincial Government] may make rules consistent with this Act to regulate for any Reformatory School the matters mentioned in any clause of sub-section (1), other than clause (ii) (a), and also the mode in which the Committee of Visitors shall conduct their business. IV.—Offences in relation to Reformatory Schools 27. Penalty for introduction or removal or supply of prohibited articles and communication with youthful offenders .– Whoever, contrary to any rule made under section 26, introduces or removes or attempts by any means whatever to introduce or remove into or from any Reformatory School, or supplies or attempts to supply outside the limits of any Reformatory School to any youthful offender under order of detention therein, any prohibited article, and every officer or person in charge of a Reformatory School who, contrary to any such rule, knowingly suffers any such article to be introduc ed into or removed from any Reformatory School, to be possessed by any youthful offender detained therein, or to be supplied to any such youthful offender outside its limits, and whoever, contrary to any such rule, communicates or attempts to communicate with any such youthful offender, 1Ibid. 2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. and whoever abets any offence made punishable under this section, shall, on conviction before a Magistrate, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to fine not exceeding two hundred rupees, or to both. 28. Penalty for abetting escape of youthful offender .– Whoever abets an escape, or an attempt to escape, on the part of a youthful offender from a Reformatory School, or from the employer of such youthful offender, shall be punishable with imprisonm ent for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine not exceeding two hundred rupees, or with both. 29. Arrest of escaped youthful offender .– A Police-officer may, without orders from a Magistrate and without a warrant, arrest any youthful offender sent to a Reformatory School under this Act, who has escaped from such school or from his employer, and take him back to such school or to his employer. V.—Miscellaneous 1 [30. Application of Act XV of 1869 to youthful offenders detained in Reformatory Schools.– * * * * * * * * * * * * *] 31. Power to deal in other ways with youthful offenders including girls .– (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other enactment for the time being in force, any Court may, if it shall think fit, instead of sentencing any youthful offender to transportation or imprisonment or directing him to be detained i n a Reformatory School, order him to be– (a) discharge after due admonition, or (b) delivered to his parent or to his guardian or nearest adult relative, on such parent, guardian or relative executing a bond, with or without sureties, as the Court may require, to be responsible for the good behaviour of the youthful offender for any period not exceeding twelve months. (2) For the purposes of this section the term “youthful offender” shall include a girl. (3) The powers conferred on the Court by this section shall be exercised only by Courts empowered by or under section 8. (4) When any youthful offender is convicted by a Court not empowered to act under this section and the Court is of opinion that the powers conferr ed by this section should be exercised in respect of such youthful offender, it may record such opinion and submit the proceedings and forward the youthful offender to the District Magistrate to whom such Court is subordinate. (5) The District Magistrate to whom the proceedings are so submitted may thereupon make such order or pass such sentence as he might have made or passed if the case had originally been tried by him. 32. Procedure when youthful offender under detention in a Reformatory School is again convicted and sentenced.– When a youthful offender during his period of detention in a Reformatory School is again convicted by a Criminal Court, the sentence of such Court shall commence at once, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 397 of the Code 1Repealed by the Prisoners Act, 1900 (III of 1900), published in the Punjab Gazette, dated: 15 February 1900, pp. 5 -14, s. 53 read with the Third Schedule. of Criminal Procedure, 1882 1 , but the Court shall forthwith report the matter to the 2 [Provincial Government], which shall have power to deal with the matter in any way in which it thinks fit. 1X of 1882. Now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898). 2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations.