CO885-8 — Page 166

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.

396

ON THE

PUNISHMENT OF FLOGGING.

Miscellaneous

No. 149.

Confidential.

MEMORANDUM

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PUBHE RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LOWDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

7.

Mr. Chamberlain's attention having been drawn to the frequency with which the punish- ment of flogging or whipping was inflicted in some of the Colonies, he determined to give a clear expression of his views on the subject, to endeavour to set limits to the practice, and to fix the responsibility in the event of these limits being transgressed.

There has always been-especially in the tropical colonies, where it is largely a case of white men ruling coloured races a natural, if regrettable, tendency to use the whip: and there are common sense reasons for the practice which Mr. Chamberlain has noted in his first circular, such as the want of adequate gaol buildings and equipment, and of properly trained prison officers, and the consequent lack of discipline.

The cases of whipping may be considered under four heads :—

1. Whippings for prison offences.

2. Whippings for serious crimes by order of

the Courts.

3. Whippings for prædial larceny under

special laws.

4. Whippings of children.

A

-:: 1. WHIPPINGS FOR PRISON

OFFENCES.

To effect his purpose, Mr. Chamberlain addressed to the Governors of all non-responsible Government Colonies two circular despatches. The first of these, dated the 25th of May, 1897, dealt mainly, though not exclusively, with the question of flogging for prison offences, and enclosed model regulations on the subject, to be noted for future guidance.

The despatch pointed out that in England the punlaliment of fogging for prison offences is rarely inflicted, and is considered to be a serious and exceptional punishment to be employed only

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