The Quarter Sessions dealt
with more than just criminal matters; they also dealt with other judicial
business. For example, 1864 included a committee report about the
Bedfordshire Reform School at Turvey. This poorly handwritten report (possibly
just a draft version) provides us with some valuable insights into the School, its
aims and how it operated.
Here’s a brief summary of its
contents:
- last report was 3 years ago
and provided for the period from the opening of the school in May 1857 to the
end of 1860.
- the total number of boys
admitted since opening is 85. 39 have
been discharged. 8 were transferred to other reformatories. 6 had died. 2 absconded. 30 were currently at the institution.
- the committee met on 3rd
Wednesday in each month and weekly visitation are made.
- 45 1/2 acres of land was
held, the land having been drained by the boys under expert tuition.
- a bake house and dairy had
been erected.
- a medical officer visited at
least once a fortnight. The health of
the boys was satisfactory.
- instruction in reading,
writing & arithmetic was given 3 times a week and religious instruction was
given by neighbouring clergymen.
The report concluded the
institution was fulfilling its brief and that with divine blessing, best results
could confidently be hoped for!
QSR1864/1/2/3
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