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the sleeping space is, as you have pointed out, practically extended beyond the cell walls: and the rule to be followed is, that taking the whole cubical content of the prison, each prisoner should be allowed not less than 1,500 cubic feet; the dimen- sions of each of the sleeping cells being determined with reference not so much to the air space within its walls as to the room required for sleeping purposes by a single man or woman,
4. If, however, sleeping cells are constructed of the ordinary type and with only the ordinary amount of ventilation the cubical content should not be less than 1,000 cubic feet.
5. Cells for separate confinement both by day and night should as you are no doubt aware, be in all cases larger than those intended for sleeping purposes only.
I have, &c.,
The Officer Administering the Government of
MAURITIUS.
(Signed),
KIMBERLEY.
Sir M. Hicks-Beach to the Officer Administering the Government of the
Straits Settlements.
(Copy.)
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
No. 236.
DOWNING STREET,
9th October, 1879.
SIR,
I duly received your despatch No. 283 of the 19th August relative to alterations to be made in the new jail with a view to carrying out the strict separate system and on the 6th of this month, I telegraphed to you Despatch 283 some of cells should be larger if possible. Mauritius dimensions are 12 by 8 by 14."
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2. The dimensions which have been given by Major MCNAIR for the cells intended for separate confinement are, as you will thus have learnt, considerably less than the dimensions decided upon after careful consideration in designing similar cells for the Port Louis prison, and, if it is possible at this period of the construction to effect any alteration some enlargement in these cells, especially those of them which are intended for natives would, seem desirable.
3. Much of course depends on whether these cells are to have standing bed places, and on the kind of labour to which the inmates are to be subjected; as it is to be remembered that oakum-picking, coir beating, and similar kinds of work are not suitable to those parts of a tropical prison, which are used for living
purposes.
I have, &c.,
(Signed,)
The Officer Administering the Government of the
R. G. W. HERBERT, for Sir M. Hicks-Beach.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.