CO885(3-4) — Page 89

136

XIII. The Crown land on the Perangoon Road (see alternative plan No. 1), situated at nearly three miles from town, offered some advantages, but in the opinion of the Com- mittee the distance from town was too great, and the space available for extension still somewhat limited. An estimate of the cost of the buildings at this site in three tiers of cells was, however, approximately made at 210,500 dols.

XIV. The Committee, at the suggestion of one of their members that it might be desirable to construct a penitentiary for long-sentenced prisoners on one of the islands adja- cent to Singapore, where the prisoners might be employed at quarrying and other hard labour, visited. Pulo Obin, but upon a careful consideration of the increased cost of the prison staff and guard that would be requisite in so isolated a spot, coupled with the fact that there would then be three separate gaol establishments for Singapore, the idea was abandoned.

XV. The Committee next visited the site of the present Civil Prison, which they had no difficulty in deciding offered the most suitable position for a gaol, both from its relative distance from town, its nearness to the police barracks; and as providing around it an adequate area of Government land for the erection of the necessary buildings, and also for subsequent extension. The site moreover has a well-known character for salubrity.

XVI. Alternative plan No. 2 shows the proposed site of the buildings if erected with two tiers of cells, providing, as in the former case, for 650 prisoners, with an additional ward for prisoners awaiting trial, and who are now confined in the Civil Prison, with quarters for a superintendent, warders, and apothecary. The approximate cost of this scheme is 221.760 dols.

XVII. There were some objections, however, to this site for buildings of two tiers of cells, from the inequalities of the ground and the lowness of some portion of it for building purposes, also from the proximity of Pearls Hill, from which the gaol inclosure might be overlooked.

XVIII. The Committee, to remedy these objections as far as possible, would recom- mend the erection of the cells in three tiers (see alternative plan No. 3). This plan (also on the radiating principle) is, after the most careful consideration by the Committee, that which entirely approves itself to their judgment.

XIX. The buildings afford accommodation for 550 native and 50 European prisoners undergoing their sentences in separation, with a distinct ward and yard for 50 prisoners awaiting trial. There is an industrial yard and infirmary, punishment and work cells, and all the other subsidiary buildings required for a first-class prison. Quarters for a superin- tendent on the summit of Pearls Hill, and a range of cottages for European warders on the slopes, with separate quarters for the gaoler and the apothecary, are also included in the scheme. These quarters by crowning the hill overlook the jail, and will to a great extent guard against any communication by signal being made by the prisoners with their friends outside.

XX. The site provides abundant space for future extension, and lies within the range of the proposed water supply.

XXI. It has also one further advantage, that by a union of the Criminal and Civil Gaols, it will effect a considerable reduction in the cost of the prison staff.

XXII. The approximate cost of this scheme is 214,170 dollars; but as a set off against this would be the sum to be realized by the sale of materials, and the land on which the present gaol is built, now estimated at from 60 to 70,000 dollars.

XXIII. The Committee would suggest that if this scheme be approved, the gaol wall be undertaken first by free labour, when a certain class of prisoners might be located in temporary sheds within the inclosure, and so employed in the construction of their own cells.

XXIV. It is impossible for the Committee to state what may be the reduction upon the estimate if convict labour is employed, for so much depends upon the way in which it is turned to account, but in view of recent events it will be a satisfaction to know that, should the erection of a new prison be decided upon, a proportion at least of the convict labour available will be capable of being employed, without prejudice to the discipline of the whole gaol establishment.

XXV. The Committee has not lost sight of the last point referred to by the Government, viz., the possibility of being able to send from Penang from hence about 200 prisoners for location in the new gaol built for 200 prisoners in separation, and which is expected to be completed during the next year. Upon inquiry they find that there are at present 101 prisoners in confinement at that settlement, and as the population is increasing, it is not to be expected that these numbers will decrease, but rather increase; and they ascertain that the gaol at Malacca will be barely sufficient under the separate system for the requirements of that settlement.

て

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICEA

Reference -

C.O. 885

4

38

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