Under early legislation absconders could be subject to punishment and extension of their sentence. Under the Destitute Persons Act 1881 absconders could be whipped or subjected to a bread and water diet for up to seven days. Under the Maintenance Act 1926 absconding was regarded as an offence and children who absconded could be arrested without warrant by a police officer. Punishment for absconding from an institution or from a foster placement was commitment to a reformatory or the extension of a sentence if the child was already committed to a reformatory.