0 (especially in the past) a type of school where young people who have broken the law are sent instead of prison:
The number of arrests before a youth was committed to a reform school for the first time was 13·6.
It has had several uses in its past, including hosting the country's first girls' reform school in 1854.
It was the state's first reform school for girls.
Hazel did four years of grammar school, four years of reform school, and didn't learn anything in either place.
Cassady spent much of his youth living on the streets of skid row with his father or in reform school.
Billy led a troubled life as a youngster, with numerous instances of truancy, minor crimes, and a stay at a reform school.
Orena spent time in a reform school and eventually dropped out of high school.
Jimmy is given a choice to either go to reform school or work as a messenger boy for the post office as punishment.