226 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH FEBRUARY, 1899.
7. The returns which are appended show a considerable increase in assaults on each other, on Prison Officers, by prisoners, and in the offence of having tobacco.
The number of cases of assault on Prison Officers was two, which is below the average.
The number of assaults by prisoners on each other shows a large increase. The assaults were, however, with one exception, of a trivial nature and arose out of petty disputes between prisoners engaged together on unaccustomed work in connection with the structural alterations in, and additions to, the Gaol.
The increase in the offence of having tobacco is due to the fact that, at various periods during the year, there were a certain number of free men engaged on work in the Gaol.
8. The following improvements, referred to in paragraph 16 of my Report for 1897, have been completed during the year under review almost entirely by prison labour at what must be regarded as the small cost of $15,000
(a) On the site of D wing, a large two-storied workshop has been erected, the upper floor of
which is used as a printing shop while the ground floor is devoted to mat making.
The workshop was much needed, and has rendered possible a useful extension of industrial labour.
(b) The sub-division of Association cells into separate cells has been completed. There are now 427 separate cells in the Gaol, and 26 Association cells, giving accommodation for 453 prisoners in separate confinement, and for 104 extra prisoners by placing 5 prisoners in each Association cell, or a total of 557 prisoners.
(e) The Officers' quarters inside the Gaol have been converted into a commodious hospital, and offices for the Chief Warder and Clerks, but the hospital is still occupied by the Indian Staff pending the building of quarters for them outside the Gaol.
(d) What was formerly the Chief Warder's and Clerks' offices, has been turned into a
reception room with cells attached.
(e) The old hospital, which is above the female Prison, has been prepared for the reception of female prisoners as an extension to the existing female Prison. It is, however, still occupied by male prisoners pending the removal of the hospital to the new accommo- dation provided for it.
(f) Certain alterations in the yards round A and B halls (the Gaol extension) have been made to prevent escapes, and a useful addition to the yard space between the two halls has been contrived.
9. The following improvements are being now effected by Prison labour, having been undertaken before the end of the year :-
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In the Lower East Yard the ramp is being entirely removed affording a site for a new and enlarged laundry, which it is proposed to build, and additional yard space for the laundry work, while the old laundry will be converted into a shed for general labour. When the above work has been completed, it is proposed to demolish B wing and to erect in its place a new hall. B wing contains 15 Association cells and 2 separate cells. The new Ward would contain 76 separate cells, and, being much more compact, would enable an increase in space in the Upper Yard. It is also proposed to cover in the centre of the Upper Yard as a protection against sun and rain in summer time. With the erection of the proposed new Ward, the Gaol would contain 501 separate cells and 11 Association cells, the latter being capable of accommodating 55 prisoners, or a
total of 556.
The Gaol could then be conducted almost entirely on the separate system.
10. The fact that the capacity of the Gaol accommodation does not exceed 557 prisoners is one that should not be lost sight of, and when it is remembered that it is necessary to have space accom- modation in the Gaol to meet the demands of any emergency, it is evident that with a rapidly growing population and the acquisition of new territory, the question of increasing the Gaol accommodation for the Colony is one that already demands the attention of Government.
11. During the year one Chinese prisoner succeeded in escaping, and two others attempted to escape, but were re-captured by Prison officers, by scaling the boundary wall of the Gaol extension.
Structural additions have now been made which will render escapes from the same locality very
difficult.
12. The profits on industrial labour amounted to $6,204.19, as compared with $2,620.08 in the preceding year. The balance sheets of each industry are shown in enclosure E. The increase is prin- cipally due to the extension of the Printing Department which now executes the job printing required by the Government and the Military Authorities.