The Policy Vacuum After Borstal School Repeal Act (1925) In Tamil Nadu and the Future of Youth Justice: Unprotected Adolescents

This paper critically examines the implications of the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Borstal Schools Act, 1925, and the resulting shift of young adult offenders (18–21 years) into adult prisons. Historically, Borstal Schools provided rehabilitative environments through education, vocational training, and structured discipline, offering a transitional framework between adolescence and adulthood. The closure of these institutions and the absence of alternative mechanisms create significant risks, including exposure to violence, exploitation, and criminogenic influences within adult prisons. Drawing on developmental psychology, criminology, and emerging adulthood theory, this study highlights the distinct rehabilitative needs of young offenders and the dangers of neglecting them. To address this gap, the paper proposes a Young Adult Rehabilitation and Reformation Framework (YARRF), advocating for dedicated semi-custodial centers, legislative reforms, and reintegration programs that prioritize reformation over punitive incarceration.