Prisoners for the "Star" class shall be selected on the ground that their previous conduct and character have been good, that their antecedents are not criminal, and that their crime does not indicate grave cruelty or gross moral turpitude or depravity of mind. One or more previous convictions need not automatically exclude a prisoner from the "Star" class, provided they were for petty offences only. Even a conviction for a serious crime might possibly be not regarded as a bar, if the crime was committed several years before, and if during the intervening period the prisoner had led generally an honest life. The age of the offender at the date of any previous conviction and at the date of his present offence should, of course, be taken into account, in fact, the entire body of the circumstances of the case should be considered with a view to determining whether the prisoner is already of so corrupt a mind or disposition that he may contaminate others and cannot be much contaminated himself, and the question should be dealt with in a common sense manner.
