Detailed Description

This book tells the fascinating story of the Bleasdale Reformatory from its opening in 1857 to its closure in 1905. It examines the background to the foundation of these reformatories and charts the changing relationship between philanthropists, charitable organisations and Government officials at a national and local level through the late nineteenth century. Detail is provided of the reformatory regime and the histories of some of the boys held at Bleasdale. The book also examines the relative success rates of Bleasdale and other Lancashire reformatories, and contains a wealth of insights into their intentions and their outcome, drawing lessons relevant to the twenty-first century.