40.0.133

21

COPY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Page 338

RETURN OF THE GAOLS, &c.

Question 1

General Description of the Prison: whether Common Gaol, House of Correction, or otherwise? (To be accompanied by a Ground Plan of the Buildings, &c.)

Answer 1

Victoria Common Gaol and House of Correction, and the general receiving and Convict Prison for Her Majesty's Colonial Ports of China and Japan. (Plan attached)

Question 2

Under whose jurisdiction and superintendence; and what measures are adopted for securing the Visitation of the Prison by the Local Magistrates or other authorities? (A Copy of the Rules and Regulations to be forwarded with the Return.)

Answer 2

Under the direction of a Superintendent subject more immediately to the Governor of the Colony, but also to the Magistrates who visit weekly the prison, and Justices of the Peace in rotation at uncertain hours. The Justices note their visits and their remarks on the discipline and management of the Prison in a journal which is inspected weekly by the Colonial Secretary.

Question 3

Number of Officers, and how appointed? Do all the Officers reside in the Prison? Are Female Prisoners attended by Female Officers exclusively?

Answer 3

All the officers reside in the Prison. Female prisoners are attended exclusively by the Matron. There are 12 classes or wards: Europeans, Indians, Chinese — Debtors, On Remand, Misdemeanants, Felons.

Question 4

Number of Classes, Divisions, or Wards, Day-rooms, Work-rooms, and Airing-yards (with reference Plan); and whether the same can be extended or increased!

Answer 4

There are 12 classes or wards: Europeans, Indians, Chinese — Debtors, On Remand, Misdemeanants, Felons. The classification is carried out and works well.

Page 339

Question 5

Number of Sleeping Cells, Solitary or Dark Cells, &c.; and if any are below ground?

Answer 5

146 Sleeping cells, of which 41 are dark cells. There are also cells. None of these are below ground.

Question 6

Dietary or Weekly Allowance, and Weekly Cost per head for the different description of Prisoners? and under what system and control the Food, Medicine, and Clothing for the Prisoners is contracted for, or otherwise provided?

Answer 6

European prisoners receive weekly:

• Bread
• Beef or Pork
• Vegetables
• Sugar
• Salt
• Soap
• Firewood

This costs $1.05 per head per week.

Chinese and Coloured prisoners receive weekly:

• Rice
• Salt
• Oil
• Firewood

This costs 48 cents per head per week.

Question 7

Allowance of Clothing and Bedding, and Cost per head?

Answer 7

Each European prisoner has 2 Blankets, a Mattress and a pillow. Chinese prisoners have a mat and 1 Blanket. The cost per head yearly is about $5 for Europeans and $2.50 for Chinese.

Question 8

Hours of Labour and Exercise?

Answer 8

From 6 A.M. to 12 noon, and from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. year round. All prisoners unemployed or in solitary confinement take 2 hours walking exercise daily.

Question 9

Description of Employment and Hard Labour?

Answer 9

Oakum picking, Stone breaking, Mat-making, washing clothes for Civil Hospital inside the Gaol. Cleaning and repairing roads outside the Gaol.

Question 10

Amount of Earnings, and how applied; in what proportion to the Prisoners, to the Officers, or the Fund for the maintenance of the Prison?

Answer 10

The earnings amount to £417 1s 4d. Paid into the Colonial Treasury monthly as reimbursements. The proportion this amount bears to the total yearly cost of the Establishment is about 1 to 15.

Question 11

Whether the Classification directed by the Colonial Act has been observed: if not, for what reasons; and what measures have been taken to remedy this defect?

Answer 11

The classification is carried out and works well.

Question 12

Are convicted Prisoners prohibited from receiving Visits, or Letters, or any articles of Food or Clothing from their Relatives or Friends: if not, under what restrictions?

Answer 12

Prisoners may receive visits or letters from their friends under the following restrictions: