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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH MARCH, 1877.
Mr. ToxxOCHY desires to state that he is strongly opposed to any reduction in the powers at present possesse by the Superintendent to administer any punishment allowed by the Regulations on his own and sole authority f offences against the Gaol Rules.
Solitary confinement generally ("Separate" System).-The possibility of introducing this system depends to great extent upon a reconstruction of the present Gaol. The whole subject was referred to the Surveyor Genera who gave his opinion in a written communication and explained his views to the Committee.
By pulling down the range of buildings occupied at present by the Magistrates' Courts and the house of th Captain Superintendent of Police, and using this space for building ranges of wards, and by altering the baseme floors of the present Gaol and the upper stories and the women's wards, the whole Gaol might be adapted to th
separate" system and at least 500 cells provided.
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Though strongly recommended as making the Gaol more complete, this proposal may be considered too extensiv at present, and the Committee have not thought it necessary to go minutely into details or to ask the Survey General for an estimate of the cost.
But the Committee are of opinion that although they are not in a position to recommend a reconstruction of th whole Gaol, the partial adaptation of the present buildings to solitary cells might be carried out at no great expens and with very excellent results especially in the case of Chinese prisoners convicted for the 2nd or 3rd time.
The Surveyor General made a calculation that by converting the basements of the Gaol, the present wings, 6 solitary cells could be contructed, and by adding 12 by converting the women's ward would make 75.
It has been proposed that the present Dead House and Store Room contained in the same yard, which is 44 fer long by 14 broad, should be converted into a women's ward with 2 rooms for the Matron. The 20 women are the maximum number confined at any one time on record.
space is sufficient a
The objection has been raised that there is no yard annexed in which the women could take exercise, and tha the Police latrine is on the other side of the wall.
But these objections might possibly be overcome, but still they are of weight.
Another proposal is that the range of buildings at present forming the Magistrates' Courts shall be given u to the Turnkeys and Gaol Officers and that their present quarters should be occupied by the Hospital on the lowe storey and by the women's ward on the upper, and that over the Turnkeys' Cook-houses quarters for the debtor should be built.
This is a plan which the Committee (although they strongly recommend, if it could be entertained, the large scheme of reconstruction) consider ought to be brought prominently under the notice of His Excellency.
A site for Magistrates' Courts, it is stated, was procured some time ago, just below the present residence o the Captain Superintendent of Police, and the dilapidated condition of the Courts now in use rendering it very improbable that they can stand much longer, the Committee would strongly recommend that new Courts be buil on the site indicated, and that the present building be employed as quarters for the Gaol Officers as long as it i habitable.
The Committee think it only necessary to make these suggestions without going into question of cost o questions of general expediency. The requisite information would of course be sought for from the Surveyo General, should the suggestion be entertained.
COOK-HOUSES' REMOVAL. The present Superintendent has suggested to the Committee the propriety of recom mending that the cook-houses be removed and rebuilt in the washing yard, where it is supposed there will be room for the operations of both cooking and washing.
There are great objections to the present position of the cook-houses. It intercepts the view from one end of the Gaol buildings to the other, rendering an additional sentry necessary, and is out of place altogether.
The removal of the building has been often strongly urged, and the Committee recommend that the Surveyor General be consulted and the building be removed if possible.
It may here be remarked that if the suggestion made of removing the Officers' quarters to the buildings at present occupied by the Magistracy be adopted, the present Turnkeys' cook-house could be used for the Gaol cook-house.
It has been already remarked, that the Committee think it extremely objectionable that the long sentenced prisoners, who are now employed in cooking for the Gaol Officers, should be allowed to come beyond the prison gates, as it is a relaxation of all discipline, and easy means of communication with the world outside are afforded. Coolies bringing necessaries for the use of the Gaol come constantly in contact with them.
Recommendation. The Committee strongly recommend, that iron gates be erected at the end of each of the "ramps" as they are called, and that no prisoner be allowed on any pretence to go beyond them.
TREAD-MILLS.
The erection of "Tread-mills" would come under the heading of Gaol alterations.
The experience collected in the various books and Reports on the subject goes to prove that the objections once entertained and still entertained by Sir WALTER CROFTON to the "tread-mill" as a punishment are groundless (Vide Prison Discipline 1868, page 88), and in a despatch of Lord GRANVILLE, (See Further Correspondence Prison Discipline in Colonies, page 38), it is stated to be most useful and deterrent. It would be especially adapted for the punishment of soldiers and sailors, who are committed in large numbers for offences against discipline.
Some years ago, it appears, a "Tread-mill" was in use in this Gaol, but it fell into disfavour, then into disuse, and was taken down.
The Surveyor General estimates the cost of a "Tread-mill" capable of holding 16 men at $2,000, and one suited to 8 men at $1.000.
The Committee think that "Tread-mills" might be introduced with great advantage into this Gaol, but they do not know anyone in the Colony who has had experience in their management.
GAOL STAFF.
The state of the Gaol staff is a very important question, which has engaged the attention of the Committee. The present number of Turnkeys is not sufficient. The Superintendent and the Warden consider their work excessive. Their hours of attendance are from 5.30 A.M. to 6 P.M., with intervals of of an hour for breakfast, 1 hour for luncheon, & an hour f ̈dinner. Once a fortnight in turns they get Friday night from 5.30 P.M., Saturday night and all Sunday to themselves.