THE CHINA MAIL TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1937 ——
HONG KONG'S REMARKABLE NEW MODEL PRISON
ارید
AT STANLEY
Every Modern Invention And Convenience Embodied In Equipment And Amenities OFFICIAL PARTY
OF INSPECTION YESTERDAY
Ingenious automatic locks, the secret of only one or two! firms throughout the world, form one of the chief points of in- terest in Hong Kong's magnificent new gaol at Stanley, and their efficiency was tested in amusing fashion during yesterday's off cial tour of inspection when first Captain W. J. R. Cragg, the Governor's A.D.C. and then Mr. G. P. de Martin, Director of Education, found himself in need of rescue.
A general view of the new gaol at Stanley taken from the residence of the Superintendent. ("China Mail" photo).
MODEL LAUNDRYTM
the
dry and other works The boiler Gaol printing works. The print- is fed with of fuel and is electri-ing shop is in a separate building cally controlled on a safety first of its own, next to the adjudica-” principle. All cooking in the tien building, where the Chief prison is done by stasin heating. Warder receives complaints and
metes out punishment.
SEARCHLIGHTS ON WALL The laundry, adjoining the boil. er house, has washing machines The entire prison is encircled which deal with blankets, finen by a wäll some 6 inches thick and and other materials; while there about 18 feet high. At the four are also boiling machines, a hydro-corners are sentry towers, fitted extractor, for taking the water with alarms and a search-light. out of the clothing, up-to-date hot-Each guard manning his "tower
has air drying machine.
a clear and uninterrupted Dividing the laundry building view of the next guard lockout from the European Cell Section, is and should be able immediately to the Main Assembly Hall where detect a break or unusual happen-
one frangirer) the Riot Act is ing-
Outside the prison on elevated -contact with any other services and other prison fune-silts are the residences of Built to accommodate 2.000 prisoners, the new gaol on Stan The prisoner is now taken to the Each cell block consists of three tion cells where they cannot come read to the prisoners, and where
on the left, doors, each of which is provided into
(round) les Peninsula, must surely be a model of its kind in Asia, if not reception cell block
are provided for warders, who, ob- Assistant Superintendant and the in the world. It is built to a standard suggestive of the thought: which is exactly like any other with its own alarm bell that being patient. On the same
cell block, except that the prisoner connected with a series of alarms floor, are the dispensary, lizenions are held. Special walks" Superintendant of the Prison, the
room and eye clinic.
tain an uninterrupted view of the Prison doctor, while European What have the prisoners done to deserve this?
Padded cells for dangerous In the event of an escape or a
entire hall. Nearby is the "Doc- Subordinate officers, and the war High praise both for the general design, the character of is held here pending examination all over the prison.
his alarm button, which sends patient can do everything except the buildings, the modera appliances put into them, and the the doctor and his subsequent
ceil
The prisoner enters through a warning signals all over the pri- hurt himself. There is a conveni-who are unable to do work of any flats overlooking Stanley Har
portunity to obtain fresh air. the P.W.D., who was chiefly responsible for the work
imposing jing doctor or nurse a clear
A mosque has been built for the Separating the buildings is... a The official party included HE the Governor, heads of de-protected grill door and Ends him- son and to residence of the Gover-ent peephole which gives the visit kind, but who must be given opbour.
en-Mobarmedan warders. structure on the hill which over-view into the cell
covered exercise yard which Upstairs are wards for ordin-ables pristners to walk round un-
All nationalities of warders are partments, members of the Legislative and Executive Councils, self seen in one of the 246 cells nor of the Gaol,
looks the prison,
but within and invited guests and all were kept keenly interested during an of this spacious building.
Six of the main-cell blocks are any patients and an operating der the surveillance of guards in housed separately, CELL FURNITURE
comfortable reach of the prison. inspection which last for two hours.
Each cell has within it one designed for use of Chinese and theatre, situated so
The actual site is wonderfully situated and has a clear and unin- The actual prison blocks extend freshing-looking spick and span for a distance of 1.100 feet and oc-white-tiled bath-house, where first wooden sleeping board with pillow Oriental prisoners, while there are the full benefit of natural light rainy weather.
are rooms for the doctors and aur- We now approach the end of terrupted view on the North-east cupy a space 720 feet wide, this a hot bath and then a hair-cut are attached. Inside the door is a but-24 European cells in the laundry Leading off the operating thestre
Cells in the Chinese section are ses for preparing for an including the Reception Block, the provided willy-nilly. Here, too. ton, which, when pressed, sets and main power house building.
European cells, We mount a circu- From above, the gad buildings Administration Block, the Recep- he sees the last of his own clothes, green light showing just outside, tion Cell Block and the Hospital, which are placed into a fumigat which is the signal for the warder from 10 to 12 feet deep and a tion, and a sterilising room, where the building, which contains the side. the six prison cell blocks, laundry, ing machine, while from linenjon duty that the prisoner requires louvred window high up, some 3 toj all instruments are sterilised 14 far stairway 'and enter through a resemble in appearance a model printing works and trade shops,lockers at the end of the bath something... The warder presses an-10 feet above the floor level, gives then passed through an appertains trilled door. The European cellcity, something like the new Ger-
cell is fitted with a wire bed and and no space has been wasted. kitchen, boiler House, European house, new apparel is provided so other button outside to extinguish him all the ventilation and sun- the wall directly into the operat
sibility of a message being sent minate glare." Cell Block and other minor build-that the prisoner emerges in the the light after ascertaining what light he needs. There is no posing theatre. Special windows li block has its own lavatories Bachman Government tenement schemes
Igarb of a convict,
is needed. ings.
Each door is heavily steel-lined out, or of the prisoner attempting as all windows are One glass peep-hole, about 14an, escape, inches in diameter, gives the heavily barred. warder a clear view of the entire
workmanship was yesterday conveyed to Mr. S. C. Feltham, of assignment to a more permanent riot, the warder on duty presses įpatients or maniacs In these stor's Party" hall for sick patients der staff, are housed in special
On the right can be seen one of the blocks at the new gaol, the part jutting out being the condemned cell. Immediately behind (the white building) is the Adjudication Block in which complaints are received. ("China Mail" photo).
LUXURIOUS
G
The glazed tiles have a definite nurpose. Experience has taught Last week. (writes a "China architects that this redaces the Mai staf reporter) I was con-¡possibility of germs remaining ducted over the entire prison, with should an infected prisoner, hap- the exception of the execution pen to lean against the walls while chamber, and I gained an impres-taking his bath. In prisons where a word the walls are otherwise treated, sion that luxurious was
many prisoners have fallen victim that could almost be applied.
Pointing out features of special to diseases, the germs of which surprise, I was told that there was are carried in the paint. Bath ard a reason for everything which haircut over, prisoners are taken to the next building, adjoining, other prisons were lacking in.
In company with a representa-where they deposit their belong tive of the Public Works Depart-ings in a special locker.
ment. I first entered the reception
building by the main gate. just as though I had come to stay. and,.
"
ALARM SIGNALS... From here, the prisoner-passes in a way, went through the process to the well-designed administra- by which new prisoners are hand-tion block, in which are the offices of the Chief Warder, the razzoury.
ed.
First into the reception block, in and the prison clerical span Fea- which prisoners are received, their ure of the Chief Warder's office names checked and orders given is the Atting of a series of alarins for their transfer to the other which, as they are connected with sections before final entry into the the rest of the prison, they give new place of abode allotted to him an immediate cize to any out- them.
break or occurrence in any part of the goal. WHITE TILES
From the Administration block, After particulars are taken of a jwe passed through- another large prisoner, he proceeds to a reportal into the PrisonProper.
Bringing Up-Father.
CLAT
cell without danger of having his
eye injured by a malcontent. Each i
ST
HOSPITAL AMENITIES
door is fitted with an ingenious block is the Hospital.
automatic lock, which as two mem-
as to obtain
AIR EXTRACTORS
opera
its
From the hospital cur tour took us to Block "A", which was exact- To the rear of the Reception Celly similar to the reception Cell
block in every detail, with This has been provided with latticed wirework dividing the bers of the official inspection every modern appliance and ap-ground from the first floor thus to the from hurling himself party discovered, locks itself when paratus for the cure and preven- preventing an escaping prisoner
tion of disease. the door is shut.
The reception hall has a series ground. Ventilation in the actual of rooms leading off to right and block is aided by air extractors in In the case of a riot or attempt-left. As we enter, the doctor's the ceiling, while ample light is the day-time from ed prison break, the lock can be room is on the right. Here he re-provided in shot three times, once with an orjceives the patient and takes parti- louvres near the roof, giving the dinary key, then with a master key culars. Should the man be suffer-warders in charge a clear view of and thirdly with a grand mastering from dangerous disease, he is all the cell doors.
TRIPLE LOCKS
key which is kept by the Chief (sert to another room where he is! Proceeding to the main boiler Warder and which alone can open examined by another doctor and house, we saw the plant which medicinal baths, supplies steam for the printing the locks when it has been em-given special ployed.
These patients are kept in isola- and tool shops, the kitchen, laun-
***A striking photograph spart from the scene it depicts, this picture shows the top foor of one of the main prison cell blocks in the new geol at Stanley, giving an indieation of the sunlight which comes in
· can also ... be seen.
(“Chin Mail” photo). Through the loaned windows at the right top, while the ventilating air extractos
COEN
EUROPEAN CELLS
MOSQUE FOR WARDERS
The entrance to the Reception Cell is through the Administration Block, shown abore. ("China Mail” photo)...
Mr. Feltham has carried through mattress, a small writing table jand a locker. Apart from theseya splendid job and is to be heartily features it is exactly the same in congratulated. The whole of the carried out by the detail as any of the other cells. work was
The far end of building houses Public Works Department. the electrical plant for supplying
the "prison with electricity.
We visit next the kitchen, which takes us opposite one of the two It is prison walks or gardens. sitnated between "C" and ་་་ Blocks and contains all conven- iences for steam heating of food,
different sections with Mohammedans.
Chinese.
Europeans
TRADE TRAINING
for and
Nearer the Reception Block on
KOWLOON WEDDING
Mr.
da Silva Weds Miss C. A. Osmund
The wedding was solemnised at Church, yesterday the Eosary morning, of Mr. M. M. da Silva, of the Asiatic Petroleum Co, and Miss Celeste Aurélina Ostnrad.
The bride, who was given away in marriage by her father, Mr. C. H. Osmund, looked charming in a
the way back, we enter the indus-white crepe gown, set off with a long embroidered tulle veil, held trial section, where prisoners are in place by a halo of orange-blos taught various trades during sam. She carried white roses. their tenure of service in the pri The bride was attended by her en they become two half-sisters, the Misses M. and Bor. Here painters, tinsmiths, carpenters, N. Canand, who were attired in
and mat-white water wave taffeta gowns. tailors shoemakerė makers There. aze cutting Messrs. A. J. Barsley and R. Sil- machines, drilling machines, va undertook the duties of best step-lathe and a sawmill,
men. Miss Freda Dixon was at the The printing shop will include orgas Tinotype machines and has ample A reception was held after their accommodation for the work nor-ceremony at the Club de Recreio. Imally carried out by the Victoria The Honeymoon is being spent in
By George McManus
QUIET
QUIET
Cazion
ALIVE LIMUNITION GUN
PRACTICE
Gua practice with live ammuni- tion will be carried out from the coast defences of Hong Kong this week, we
Today there will practice from Mount Davis, between, the hours of 10 am and 6 pm, and over Ares "D" referred to in the De- Hences (Firing Artas) Ordinance,
1986 E
ało-morrow: Practice from
·Stonecutters » Island, zbetireen, the houtsyts
Kuulaad 6-panga and Over Firing Areas "E" and
bed to in the Ordinance.
Friday: Spare of the above-
.
X