!
2
pensary has been fitted
up,
94
and so constructed to enable the dispenser while employed in the dispensary to have full command of the patients in the ward. The site of the new prison, which is entirely of made ground, was completed in November, and the mason work well advanced.
I imagine that the site for the new prison is peculiarly well suited for its purpose, notwithstanding a large amount of convict labour has been given to it. New entrance stairs were placed at the Commissioner's house, the former entrance having been demolished in 1878.
The subordinate officers' quarters have received my attention in repairing and cleans- ing. Orders have been already issued for an addition of eight new cottages for the increased staff of warders; the cottages on the "Hill" are capable of being enlarged by an addition of a gallery 8 feet wide; as they are at present, they are ill-adapted for a "family, there being only one room for each married officer, and the condition of those
who have children, is rendered indecent and immoral.
In connection with the new prison it may be stated, that two sets of sawyers (con. victs), have been employed for the last two months in cutting up green-heart logs for the flooring. Before dismissing this subject I would observe, that the wood material which has been used in the work above enumerated, as well as for coffins for prisoners and free people who have died in the prison infirmary, has been obtained as follows:-the logs of green-heart, wallaba, and crab-wood are brought to the Settlement by people living about the river, which logs are sawn up by convict labour into boards, which boards are then equally divided; by this transaction the Department is spared the expense of purchasing wood for such work. The boats (5) belonging to this establishment have been placed in thorough repair during the past year.
во
The Government punt Mundy" was hauled up, and underwent thorough repair by convict labour, the hard wood necessary for the work being cut, sawn, and dressed, by the prisoners.
The prison known as "B Hall," and the quarters called the "Guard Range," are in a fair state of repair, but show signs of decay, and in course of time will require to be replaced by new roofs. The Chaplain's house also requires to be placed in repair and fresh paper hangings.
A guard-room, reception-room, and orderly's officer's room, or gate-keeper's lodge at the entrance gate, which building was commenced in 1873, was completed in April last.
Escapes and Attempts.
One escape took place in January, under the following circumstances:-Three convicts, while patients in the Prison Infirmary, combined to effect their escape through the hospital water-closet, and succeeded in doing so, notwithstanding every precaution had been taken to prevent the attempt. The guard (police) on duty had received instructions the previous evening not to permit more than one convict into the water- closet at a time; he was again warned when posted at midnight; and again at 1·15 when visited. Notwithstanding this, police guard knowingly and willingly permitted three prisoners to enter the closet; and in a few minutes all three were at large in the prison- yard, they having removed the jalousie, and let themselves down; one, however, was seen by the sentry making for the fence, who at once raised the alarm, and seized 167; the other two made off to the bush, one of whom was recaptured at 5 P.M. same day; the third, 170, was at large nine months, and was brought back in October, and is now awaiting trial.
For this flagrant breach of prison discipline, the police guard escaped punishment. No. 24, while in the separate cells as an incorrigible, and in hand-cuffs, succeeded in breaking out of his cell. This prisoner had systematically reduced himself by refusing food till he was enabled to force his body through the ventilator of his cell, and by means of his blanket he lowered himself into the yard; he was, however, seen by the sentry, and secured.
It is necessary to state that the prison rules are silent, and most defective on the subject of dealing with prisoners who attempt their escape from custody.
The present system of putting the Colony to the expense of a trial from an escape from prison can be obviated by the administration of a more deterrent punishment imme- diately on recapture, and the use of leg irons with a loss of marks equal to an additional sentence passed by a Court. I venture to submit that in England such a mode of dealing with prisoners who attempt to escape is seldom or never had recourse to, especially where escapes are numerous, and are rendered easy by facilities given through defective buildings, or the nature of the work upon which the convicts are employed.
95
Suicides.
t
No cases of suicides have occurred during the year.
Insanity.
Two prisoners have been removed from this prison to Georgetown Gaol for Medical observation with a view to their removal to the Lunatic Asylum; one of whom, however, has been discharged from prison, upon what grounds I have not been informed. It
may be stated that the same man was removed from this prison in 1871 as insane, returned in 1878 certified as cured of insanity, but with loss of speech and hearing, and was again removed to Georgetown as insane in 1874, and finally liberated.
Dietary.
The present Dietary scale is as follows per week :-
Bread
::
Cocoa
Molasses
Beef, salt
Pork, alt
fresh
Lbs. oza.
7
10
Fish
0 31
Pts. gill.
Rice Potatoes
2
1
Lbs.
Oz".
0
7
Peas
Onious Cornmeal
0 7
0 1
l'aintains Barley
: : : : : : : :
Lbs. oza
0 12
0 12
2
0
5
0
0
4
0
0 2+
1 12
Reduced scale for Idlers, Malignerers, and men at "Light Labour, two thirds of the foregoing. Hospital diet scale both for free people and prisoners is as follows. (Per day) :-
Full.
Half.
Milk,
Spoon. {
Lbs, oz.
Lb. oza.
Oza.
Vegetables.. Meat
1 0
0 12
0 6
0 4
Soup
(Flouros., or peas)
or barley 1 oz.,
(as full diot)
onion oz.
1 pint
Biscuit Sugar Milk, 3 pints Sugar
Sago
8 Bread
Oxs. 8
+ Cocoa
3
Bread
0 6
0 0
Sugar
Cocoa
0 3 0 0
0 2
0
Extras such as brandy, wine, &c., given as ordered in writing by the Surgeon in each case.
The introduction of a reduced scale of diet for idlers, malingerers and prisoners at light labour has been attended with good results. This class of prisoners as a body show a spirit of willingness and more cheerful obedience, and the industry of the working parties is remarkable; and the fact that they exert themselves at their various occupations is manifested by the circumstance that only about fifteen of the whole number are on the reduced rations.
The reduced scale of infirmary diet has in some measure tended to decrease the number in hospital; this decrease is strongly marked during the last few months in the year.
Employment of Prisoners.
The employment of convicts while under sentence of penal servitude is an important question everywhere, and it lacks none of its importance in this prison, I have therefore during the past year assiduously endeavoured to raise the standard of industry among the convicts; not for the value of its results to the establishment, but in order to teach the prisoners habits of industry (which in the past history of the Settlement has been allowed to fall into a lax system), and encourage them to exert themselves in good resolutions for future conduct on emerging once more from prison; to this end the prisoners have been employed continually during the year in works for the general im- provement of the prison buildings, officers' quarters, and prison grounds, and in the main have been as follows:-Quarrying granite, breaking metal, squaring "pitchers," stone dressing for the Colonial Civil Engineer's Department, also sawing timber for new prison, rubble stone for Georgetown Gaol and Town Council, cutting wood for charcoal and kitchen use, making and repairing roads, making foundation for new prison, reclaiming six acres of land from the bush for plantains, cultivation of vegetables for prison use and for sale, shoemaking, tailoring, blacksmiths, tinsmiths' work, the whole of the repairs,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
FT 4T CO. 885
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.