Accordingly received 18 strokes on the following day.
9. All the prisoners who were mentioned were long-service men, some of them being good characters. It is these men, who, accustomed to the milder treatment of former days, resent any attempt to increase the deterrent effects of imprisonment, and it is the punishment of these which is most likely to induce a more submissive tone in the Gaol. (I may refer in passing to the assault on General Gordon in 1885, and to the attempt at arson in December last). I am very hopeful that the summary punishment of many of the worst characters will lead to happy results, though I can hardly expect immediate submission to the new Regulations by all the prisoners.
As far as I can judge, the effects of the punishment have been so far satisfactory. In this opinion I am sustained by my officers. Any vacillation would in all probability have been interpreted by the prisoners as a sign of fear, and would have led to a more serious disturbance at a later date with consequent severer punishment, if not resort to violence.
10. In conclusion, I would state that I am confident of my power to carry out the stricter system now in force in a satisfactory manner. I am sure the Gaol will be run satisfactorily if I am heartily supported by the Government. If I am not, my task will be rendered exceedingly difficult, if not absolutely impossible.
(signed) J.G. Mitchell-Innes,
Acting Superintendent.