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fitting up the guard range for married officers, and the old hospital for single warders and the police force.

This work has been executed with a due regard to economy.

I have, &c.

(Signed) T. SEALY, Superintendent of Her Majesty's Penal Settlement.

The Honourable the Government Secretary,

Georgetown.

Her Majesty's Penal Settlement, Massaruni,

February 24, 1874.

Sir,

I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency the Report and Statistical Return which are annually required from the Superintendent of this prison. In doing so, I feel it due to myself to remind your Excellency that I only assumed charge of this Department on the 30th of October last, on the resignation of Captain Twyford, I there- fore cannot hope to make this Report so fully in the details of the management of the prison as I would desire, as I have been guided by the records left by my predecessor; I have, however, been compelled to revise thoroughly the whole system in the minor matters of detail.

Convicts in custody, January 1, 1873

committed during the year

discharged on ticket of leave

discharged on expiration of sentence

Ordinary prisoners committed during the year

Died during the year

Escaped

Lunatics removed.

Total

Discipline Officers.

::::::::

178 61

58

Nil

36

5

1

8

331

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is desirable. I may mention that I have taken steps for the better accommodation of the single warders, as also for the police guard, who are at present located in the old hospital; the warders occupying the upper floor, and the police guard the ground floor, by which arrangement all officers doing duty at the Settlement, who are unmarried, or whose wives are in town, are obliged to live under one roof.

The general health of the officers has been good, they have been afforded the oppor- tunity of purchasing fresh meat and vegetables, the produce of the farm, without which life would be unbearable.

General Rules and Regulations.

The rules laid down for the management of this prison, and guidance of the officers generally, have been, to the best of my knowledge and belief, adhered to. New rules are, however, much required to suit the present discipline, and when introduced will tend to strengthen the measures adopted for the better government of the prison. I have already called attention to the pressing necessity for a new set of rules and regulations for the guidance of all officers, the want of which is much felt.

Economy.

The expenditure of the prison can only be obtained by a reference to the accounts recorded in the Stewards' Book; which amount to the sum of 20,016 dol. 90 c., and expended as follows:---

Provisiona

Tools and appliances

Clothing

Hospital Contingencies Farm

Total

C.

9,155 76

2,657 99

2,345 22

1.155 23

1,995 35

2.707 33

20,016 90

1 Chief Warder.

2 Principal Warders.

1 Infirmary Warder. 17 Warders.

The conduct of the great majority of the officers, as shown by the records, appears to have been satisfactory, and they have I believe with some exceptions evinced a desire to discharge their duties with diligence.

One warder was suspected of misappropriating Government stores, while employed as dispenser in the prison hospital, who was subsequently dismissed the service, five were dismissed for misconduct, four resigned, and two were allowed to resign through

ill health.

The introduction of new rules for the guidance of the officers, in the proper dis- charge of their various duties is much needed, and will, when introduced, effect a marked improvement in the management and discipline of this prison. I am, however, unable to speak more fully on the subject of discipline officers, having been so short a time associated with them.

The casualties among the warders during the year appear to be excessive: this I think may be accounted for in a great measure by the isolated locality; want of personal comforts, wretched quarters, no system of uniform clothing, and a strong feeling that nobody cares for their deplorable condition; whilst every comfort is lavished upon the convicts who have been kept well supplied with boots, slippers, flannels, clothing, &c., &c., to enable each prisoner to have a daily change, and oftener if necessary. The warders are wholly unprovided for in many respects, their exposure to aariable climate of great heat and heavy rain, with no protection than a suit of serge at their own expense; and no opportunity of going to a town to make necessary purchases. In condemning the present system, I feel bound to suggest some other; of course I can only give an idea of what I think would be preferable towards improving their condition, and make life bearable in this isolated place. The provision of better and more suitable houses for the married officers; the single warders provided with accommodation more in keeping with their position as officers placed over convicts, and supplied with such articles of furniture as may be required, on the principle of a barrack room. whole staff to be supplied with uniform clothing, caps, boots and capes at the expense of the Colony, except the cloth which should be paid for by the warders by monthly deductions; precisely on the same principle as prison officers in England, where uniform

The

F

out of which amount however the sum of 4,968 dol. 37 c. has been returned into the Treasury, that amount having been realized by the sale of provisions to the officers, &c. The expenditure is a heavy item, but it must be borne in mind that the situation of the prison entails a larger outlay than it would otherwise do, were its situation in the neigh- bourhood of a town where supplies could be drawn, and thus enable the staff of the establishment to lay in their own provisions, instead of the present system of obtaining them from the Government stores, and paying for the same by stoppages from their monthly pay, by which transaction however the Government realizes a profit of 12 per cent upon all stores supplied to the officers of the Prison. I may mention, that during my tenure of office the expenditure of the prison has been zealously guarded; nothing has been wasted, or used unnecessarily, and abuses have been prevented, and every arrangement made that will tend to reduce the expenses of the Department.

*

State of the Prison, Buildings, &c.

The prison stills requires extensive repairs, although much has been done, and much remains to be done before it can be said to be in efficient state of repairs and security. These alterations and repairs are being carried out with a due regard to economy; it may be mentioned that the old hospital outside the north gate has been cleansed, and placed in repairs for the accommodation of the single warders of the prison and the police force. The guard range," when placed in repair and cleansed, will be occupied by married officers. The shed in the north yard, which I found partially finished, and intended for shot drill, I have completed and converted into carpenters' shop, the evil of having a carpenters' shop where six or eight prisoners were engaged outside the fence of a prison, and where materials and tools are left, must be manifest to all. However, the arrangement I have made enables me to concentrate the trades in one yard, and gives an officer to take charge of the yard and gate, instead of leaving prisoners to work in the yard without the supervision of a warder.

The farm building which was much needed, and the cook-house for the hospital, were completed during the year; a building for offices and guard-room was commenced, and the Commissioner's house was papered and painted throughout, all of which work was executed by convict labour.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LILC.O.885

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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