Statistics
1
of the number of floggings coupled with
the medical reports
on
the effect of the floggings
can leave little doubt
upon
the mind of any
one
who studies these papers
that the power of flogging has been abused.
This abuse must cease
in future. We shall not flog
where it shall be used, whether for adults or juveniles,
other than the birch, in
any
case whatever was then
legal
under the law or
and in consequence the
following rules must be observed in future
to avoid this rather stringent criticism that the
cat-o'-nine-tails is
used in English prisons for sentences to
hard labour
as it stands.
the punishment is inflicted punitively in pursuance of a sentence
a court of law; the punishment for a prison offence and the
law must be adhered
to
accordingly. In all cases the maximum
3
dozen
the number of strokes shall in no case exceed
thirty-six at the discretion of the superintendent.
No flogging for a
prison offence, whether
by the
superintendent alone or
by the Superintendent in conjunction with a Visiting Justice, shall take place until written authority has been given by the governor; and the governor
in
deciding shall have before him written
evidence taken on oath.
Where the case has
been dealt with by the Superintendent alone
the
number of strokes shall not be, as it is at