CO885(1-2) — Page 654

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By the foregoing tables it appears that the average number of convicts sentenced per annum to ten years or less has been, in round numbers, 2,900 in Great Britain, and 2,300 in Ireland. But a large proportion of these has always hitherto been detained in the United Kingdom undergoing portions of their punishment. The average number actually trans- ported for the last five years to Australia has been only 1800 from Great Britain, and 700 from Ireland.

Other deductions for invalids, &c. must be made, and on the whole it may be assumed that the entire number to be provided for would not exceed 2,500 in Great Britain, and 1800 in Ireland.

Colonel Jebb estimates that the average detention in prison of persons sentenced to various periods up to ten years, would be four years. At this rate the following table will exhibit the total accommodation required, and the existing means of supplying it:

Great Britain,

Accommodation required Existing accommodation, males

10,000

8,000

11

females

300

11

Gibraltar (annual vacancies)

200

8,400

1,500

Colonel Jebb estimates that prison room could be provided at a cost of not more than 401. per head. Even, therefore, if in order to make ample allow- ance for error in the foregoing statement, the esti- mate be taken for 2000 additional persons, the cost would be 80,000l. On the other hand, there would be a diminution of at least 1500 in the number of persons transported from Great Britain, and as these cost not less than 241, per head for convey- ance, there would be a saving of 36,000l. per

annum.

For Ireland it is impossible to supply an equally clear estimate. The accommodation there has for several years fallen far short of the demand, and the prisoners are probably much overcrowded. But it will be seen from the foregoing statement, that only an average of about 700 persons have been transported from that kingdom, and a part of these

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bave of course been persons having long sentences, which class will continue to be transported.

So far, therefore, as the present measure is con- cerned, it may fairly be assumed that the only effect will be to keep 500 additional persons in Ireland, which, at the rate of an average detention of four years in prison, would not require additional room for more than 2000 persons. And if Bermuda be set apart for Irish prisoners, which could easily be done, and the works there have for some years past absorbed an average of 400 per annum,-this would diminish the number to be provided to about 1600 persons, for whom prison-room, at 401. per head, would cost 64,0001.

On the other hand, there would be a saving of 241. per head on 500 Irish transports no longer sent to Australia, which would amount to 12,0001. per annum.

But in the above calculations the cost of pur- chasing sites for new prisons is not included.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O. 885

Reference :-

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO