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(iv) A proper and thorough search by the two Indian Warders (since dismissed) on the afternoon of the 13th December of the cells of the prisoners would have prevented the catastrophe. (v) The European staff became seriously depleted during the past few years, owing to the war and other causes, and such deple- tion of staff was brought to the notice of the Government by the Assistant Superintendent of the Gaol on the 12th August, 1918, in C.S.O. 2737/1918, but was not remedied till after the recent escape of prisoners.
As regards (c), namely, the steps necessary to be taken to prevent similar incidents in future, we recommend :-
(2) The abolition of the tinsmith's shop.
(ii) Adequate searching of prisioners when they are coming off
work, under European supervision.
(2) The putting of iron bars outside the cells of prisoners in secure sockets, so as to prevent them from breaking out even if they succeeded in removing or opening the locks.
(iv) The provision of electric lights in the yard and corridors inclu-
ding special emergency lights.
(v) The building of a grille across the entrance hall to F. Block for a Reserve Guard; inside of which grille should be kept an alarm, electric switch board, and a reserve of firearms. (vi) Another armed Reserve Guard, to be placed at another point in
the Gaol, to be determined upon by the Superintendent. (vii) That two European Warders be always on duty at night
inside the gaol.
(xiii) That all searches of cells be made under European supervision, and that the weekly search be of a most thorough and effective character.
(ix) That additional locks, of different make from the present, be provided to all the gates of the prison leading out on to the yard.
(a) That no prisoners be kept on the side of the gaol west of the tunnel, which should be practicable when the new convict prison is built. (On this side of the gaol there is a house whose windows and balconies overlook and almost overhang the Gaol.)
(xi) That the Gaol Regulations be amended, as above advised,
namely:--
(i) To allow of Prison Officers below a certain rank being
searched on entering and leaving the Gaol;
(ii) To allow of loss of a gaol key being punishable with
instant dismissal from the Service.
(xii) That all food and stores for prisoners brought into Gaol be weighed and checked by or in the presence of an European Officer and entered by him in a book kept for the purpose. (xiii) That a much bigger reserve of blankets be kept in future. (xiv) That a new measure for rice, i.e., a 16 oz. measure, be adopted. (xv) That two Prisoners Complaint Ledgers be instituted, one for the Daily Record of such complaints and the other for record of complaints by prisoners to the Visiting Justices.
13. Generally, we recommend--
(1.) That Indian Warders should be recruited from India instead of locally. (2.) That the Superintendent of the Gaol ought to be entirely distinct from and independent of the Captain Superintendent of Police, as was formerly the case; in order that full responsibility may rest upon the actual Executive Head.