Vidhi Codex

The Kerala Borstal Schools Act, 1961

The Kerala Borstal Schools Act, 1961

Education196131 sections5 chapters

The Kerala Borstal Schools Act, 1961, regulates the establishment and management of reformatory institutions called borstal schools in the state of Kerala. It applies to adolescent offenders aged fifteen to twenty one who have committed crimes punishable by imprisonment. Instead of sending these young offenders to standard prison, courts can sentence them to these schools for two to seven years to receive agricultural, industrial, and moral training. This law matters because it prioritizes rehabilitation and education over punishment for young people, helping them successfully reintegrate into society while legally removing the stigma and career disqualifications associated with their criminal convictions.

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Part II COMMITTALTO BORSTAL SCHOOLS

  1. 5Power of court to pass order of detention in borstal school.
  2. 6Preliminary inquiry and finding as to age of adolescent offender.
  3. 7Limitation on powers conferred by section 5.
  4. 8Power of Inspector-General to transfer prisoners to borstal school.
  5. 9Government to determine the borstal school to which adolescent offender shall be sent.
  6. 10Removal from one borstal school to another.
  7. 11Reception of offenders from and transfer of offenders to other States in India.
  8. 12Transfer of incorrigibles, etc., to prisons.

Part III RELEASE ON LICENCE OR PAROLE

  1. 13Power to release on licence.
  2. 14Form of licence.
  3. 15Revocation of licence.
  4. 16Escape and forfeiture of licence.
  5. 17Release on parole.
  6. 18Absence under licence or on parole to be counted towards period of detention.
  7. 19Power of Inspector-General to allow inmates to receive instructions or training.

Part IV CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF BORSTAL SCHOOLS

  1. 20Management of borstal schools.
  2. 21Constitution, powers and duties of visiting committees.
  3. 22Classification of inmates.
  4. 23Punishment for offences.
  5. 24Limitation of hours of work.

Part V APPEAL AND REVISION

  1. 25Appeal and revision.

Part VI MISCELLANEOUS

  1. 26Minimum age-limit of adolescents in areas to which the Children Acts have not been extended
  2. 27Power of Government to discharge inmates.
  3. 28Removal of disqualification attaching to convictions for offences.
  4. 29Rules.
  5. 30Repeal.

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