Editing Alan Paton (section)

==Early career==
Paton served as the principal of Diepkloof Reformatory for young (native African) offenders from 1935 to 1949. He introduced controversial "progressive" [[prison reform|reforms]],<ref name=paton>{{cite web|url= http://authorscalendar.info/apaton.htm |title=Alan Paton |work=Books and Writers |first=Petri |last=Liukkonen |publisher= authorscalendar|location=Finland }}</ref> including policies on open dormitories, work permits, and home visitation. The young men were initially housed in closed dormitories; once they had proven themselves trustworthy, they would be transferred to open dormitories within the compound. Men who showed great trustworthiness would be permitted to work outside the compound. In some cases, men were permitted to reside outside the compound under the supervision of a care family. Fewer than 5% of the 10,000 men who were given home leave during Paton's years at Diepkloof ever broke their trust by failing to return.