New rule
291
Remarks
205
280
(a) Offence Nos. 1, 2, 3, 11 & 12 are new.
(b) The number of strokes of the birch rod which he inflicted under the section is increased from 12 to 15 in the case of adults and from 6 to 8 in the case of juveniles.
Under the latest rules for local prisons in England the maximum number of strokes of the birch rod or cat-o'-nine tails for a prisoner over 18 years of age is 36, while the maximum number of strokes of the birch rod for a prisoner under 18 years of age is 18.
I am not an advocate of flogging except in very serious cases and the number of floggings by myself or the Asst. Superintendent this year up to date is only 5 but in my opinion a birching of 12 strokes only in the case of an adult and of 6 strokes only in the case of a juvenile is too mild to be efficacious.
I would point out that under rule 292 no flogging can be inflicted without the previous sanction of the Governor of the Colony. An ample check is thus imposed and there seems little fear of the power to inflict corporal punishment being again abused.
The punishments under (b) & (c) of the section are based on old rules 292 & 324. The following alterations have been made in the old rule.
In