Paciostave 10 A. L.NL. 579601 7th May 1903. to 6.0.
Copy.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,
CHINA STATION,
21 March
C. O. 10160
1803. 16-29 MAY 03
815/98.
Sir,
338
SECRETARY
With reference to my submissions No.408 of 8 December, 1901, and No.15 of 18 July, 1902, and to Admiralty Letter No.31122 of 3 February 1903, I have the honour to submit the following observations:-
2. For some years the prison accommodation in the "TAMAR" has been unequal to the demands on it. Only 23 prisoners can be accommodated on board; the number 26 given in my Submission No.615 was incorrect in consequence of an error in a report made to me at the time. The "overflow" has to be accommodated in the Hong Kong Civil Prison. The number of naval prisoners in that correctional establishment has been as high as 25.
3. The practical result is that at Hongkong the naval prisoners are invariably confined in two separate prisons - one on board the "TAMAR" & one in the town. Wherever there are two establishments there is certain to be some difference between them. This would be the case if there were two purely naval prisons at Hongkong.
4. It is sometimes said that the effect of confinement in the Civil prison is less deterrent than that of confinement in the "TAMAR". It is nearly certain that if there were an "overflow" prison, say, in the "MIDGE", one establishment would be found less deterrent than the other. As it is, the prisoners convicted of the more serious offences always go to the Civil Prison; and at Singapore the corresponding establishment is the sole place of confinement.
ADMIRALTY.