Editing Prison reform (section)

======1877–1914======
The British penal system underwent a transition from harsh punishment to reform, education, and training for post-prison life. The reforms were controversial and contested. In 1877–1914 era a series of major legislative reforms enabled significant improvement in the penal system. In 1877, the previously localized prisons were nationalized in the Home Office under a Prison Commission. The [[Prison Act 1898]] ([[61 & 62 Vict.]] c. 41) enabled the Home Secretary to and multiple reforms on his own initiative, without going through the politicized process of Parliament. The [[Probation of Offenders Act 1907]] ([[7 Edw. 7]]. c. 17) introduced a new probation system that drastically cut down the prison population while providing a mechanism for transition back to normal life. The [[Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914]] ([[4 & 5 Geo. 5]]. c. 58) required courts to allow a reasonable time before imprisonment was ordered for people who did not pay their fines. Previously tens of thousands of prisoners had been sentenced solely for that reason. The Borstal system after 1908 was organized to reclaim young offenders, and the [[Children Act 1908]] ([[8 Edw. 7]]. c. 67) prohibited imprisonment under age 14, and strictly limited that of ages 14 to 16. The principal reformer was Sir [[Evelyn Ruggles-Brise]]. the chair of the Prison Commission.<ref>R. C. K. Ensor. ‘’ England 1870-1914’’ (1937) pp 520-21.</ref><ref>J.W. Fox, ‘’The Modern English Prison ‘’ (1934).</ref>