Means should be adopted, if possible. The manner in which I should wish to meet an outbreak of violence would be, instantly to seize ringleaders, march them to the office, try them, and award corporal punishment, a step which, in my opinion, would intimidate the rest. But to do this, I must have the summary powers recommended by the Committee, and formerly possessed by the Superintendents of this Gaol. It would lose all the efficacy of prompt example if I had to wait for the Visiting Justice, who might not be able to come for a day or two and might also perhaps not be equal to the occasion. I should add that I do not ask the power of carrying out the sentence of corporal punishment without the ordinary delay of 12 hours after approved by the Governor. I only ask the power at once summarily to try and announce the sentence, subject to the Governor's approval.
With regard to the assistance of temporary extra warders, I think this would be unnecessary and even disadvantageous, as leading the Prisoners to suppose that they were expected to give trouble. The guards are, I consider, sufficient to maintain order, though perhaps a few soldiers to keep the guards on the watch might be desirable for the purpose of preventing escapes. Under these circumstances, and with these views, my recommendations are:
1st That the reduction of punishment diet be at once enforced, say, from Monday next.
2nd That the reductions in fish and Pork diet be postponed until the power of summary corporal punishment (subject to Governor's approval in each case) be restored.