PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
885
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE
BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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Paragraph 18.-"The separation between the sexes is complete in all the prisons in the Colony, but it is much to be regretted that the separation of prisoners at night is not carried out completely in any of the prisons; indeed, except in the ease of one or two of the smaller prisones it would be impossible to carry it out effectually without entirely reconstructing the whole of the prison buildings in the island. Thus, for instance, at the General Peuitentiary the number of separate cells on the male side is 303, while the daily average number of prisoners in the year 1871-72 was 450, and this number has been largely exceeded in former years. This is the only prison in the island which was built with any view to carrying out the separation of prisoners. The original scheme was much more extensive, and if carried out, would have satisfied all ordinary requirements."
Paragraph 116.-"Separation is not carried out, except in the General Peni- tentiary, to a certain exteuf, and it is obvious that it will be impossible to carry it out till the buildings are entirely reconstructed, except in the case of one or two of the smallest prisons, and there only on the supposition that the number of prisoners is not materially increased. In the General Penitentiary, during the year 1871-72, the daily average number of prisoners was 450, and the number of separate cells available at the outside 303. A new range of buildings is therefore required which ought to contain not less than 150 cells. There is room for such a range to be built without enlarging the area of the prison
8. It will thus be seen that very much has to be done, and that a very large expenditure must be incurred before the separate system can be completely established. It is to be regretted that it has not been possible to advance by degrees, as regards the Penitentiary at least, towards the completion of the original scheme of that Institution, but the financial difficulties which prevailed here during so many years, added to the numerous other demands for expenditure on public works of importance, and in which the community have a more direct and immediate interest, have prevented the allot- ment of funds for the construction of new cells in the Penitentiary. I have requested General Mann to have an estimate prepared for a range of new cells, and I hope that something may be done during the next financial year.
9. No one can have a firmer belief than I have in the efficacy of the separate system, both for the special object above referred to and for its general influence in aid of an effective and a deterrent prison discipline, and also as regards its general good effect on the physical health of any body of men to whom it is applied. It cannot, however, be denied that the system is necessarily attended with a very heavy expenditure in the first instance, and it is therefore difficult to look forward to more than a very gradual extension of it in a Colony which is already burdened with a considerable debt, and in which the demands for progress in various directions are so far beyond the means which are available to meet them. Setting aside all question of such objects as railways and telegraphs, this Colony has in immediato prospect the necessity of a very heavy outlay in providing hospitals throughout the island, and in completing the arrangements contemplated by Sir John Grant in connection with the transfer of the seat of Government to Kingston, towards which, up to the present time, nothing has been done except the passing of Law 34 of 1872.
I have, &c. (Signed) W. GREY.
No. 2.
Governor Sir W. Grey, K.C.S.I., to the Earl of Carnarvon.-(Received October 16.) (No. 119.) My Lord,
King's House, September 24, 1875.
IN continuation of my despatch No. 113 of the 9th instant,* I have now the honour to transmit to your Lordship the accompanying copy of the Report, with inclosures, of the Commissioners appointed in March, 1873, by Sir John Grant, to inquire into, and report on the present condition and discipline of the penitentiaries, gaols, and prisons in this island.
I also forward an extract of a letter just received from the Director of Roads, which will show what is contemplated in regard to increased provision for the separate accommodation of prisoners in the Kingston Penitentiary.
• No. 1.
I have, &c. (Signed) W. GREY,
Sir,
Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Report of the Commissioners on the Prison Enquiry, 1873.
Penil Labous Whipping
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Kingston, June 9, 1874. We, the Commissioners appointed by your Excellency's predecessor to inquire into and report on the condition, management, and discipline of the penitentiaries, gaols, and prisons in this island, having visited all such penitentiaries and prisons, and having taken the evidence of such persons as we considered best able to supply us with the information we required, have now the honour to submit our Report for your Excellency's consideration.
Before entering into details, we think it right to state that during the whole of our inquiry we received every assistance, both from the public officers, and from such other gentlemen as we applied to, and we are especially indebted to Mr. Shaw, the Inspector of Prisons, who of his own accord accompanied us round the island, and did everything in his power to assist us in prosecuting our inquiries.
1. There are at present thirteen prisons in the Island, viz. :—
The General Penitentiary at Kingston, five district prisons, situate at
(1.) Spanish Town, in the parish of Saint Catherine.
(2.) Falmouth, in the parish of Trelawney.
(3.) Mandeville, in the parish of Manchester.
(4.) Lucea, in the parish of Hanover, and (5.) Port Maria, in the parish of Saint Mary.
Five short-term prisons, situate at
(1.) Morant Bay, in the parish of Saint Thomas. (2.) Saint Ann's Bay, in the parish of Saint Ann's. (3.) Montego Bay, in the parish of Saint James. (4.) Black River, in the parish of Saint Elizabeth. (5.) Port Antonio, in the parish of Portland.
And two county gaols, viz. :-
(1.) The Middlesex and Surrey County Gaol, at Spanish Town.
(2.) The Cornwall County Gaol, which is attached to and managed by the officers
of the Falmouth District Prison.
There is also a reformatory for destitute children and juvenile offenders of both sexes at Stony Hill, about nine miles from Kingston.
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