ABSTRACT
This chapter is based on some research carried out in the 1960s into hostels for adolescent male probationers. It explores how far the influence of wardens and matrons is analagous to that of parents, and assesses the resulting implications for those who attempt to administer similar institutions. Such institutions will not necessarily be penal. At the time of the research, most of the hostel residents were aged less than 17 years on entry. Probation hostels cater for the age range 17-35. Empirically, the study of the warden's influence was undertaken by demonstrating large differences between the nature and effectiveness of hostel regimes and as far as possible showing that these were unlikely to result from such factors as the hostel committee or location but were related to the warden's attitude and approach.
