There must be no "by your leave," no calling in a doctor to examine the offender.

But promptly and certainly when circumstances justify the committal to a State reformatory, the youthful offender should go.

With the certainty that, be his physique and intellect what they may, he would be detained, corrected and trained for some useful life.

Or, if found "quite unfit" or feeble-minded, sent to an institution suitable to his condition.
Older criminals, when proved to be mentally unsound, are detained in places other than prisons till their health warrants discharge.

But the potential criminals among the young, no matter how often they are brought before the courts, are either sent back to hopeless liberty or thrust into prison for a brief period.
I repeat that philanthropy cannot attempt to deal with the habitual offenders, either in the days of their boyhood or in their early manhood.