1924 — Page 380

330

St.

(X 2)

Questions.

VI.—Is peual labour—that is, labour by tread-mill. crauk, or shot-drill-in force ?

VII.—-If so, during what periods of imprisonments, în respect of what classes of prisoners, and during how many hours, is such penal labour enforced? In stating hours of tread-wheel labour, give, first, the total time on and off at the wheel, etc.; secondly, the length of spells and intervals of rest.

VIII.—What kind of labon, other than penal labour is in use?

IX. If the prisoners are employed beyond the walls of the Gaol, state-

1. On what kind of work they are so employed?

2. How are they supervised ?

3. How many escapes of prisoners, while being employed beyond the Gaol, have taken place Juring each of the last three years?

4. How are the profits of their labour accounted

for?

X.-What was the total ammal cost of the Prison during the year 1924 ?

Answers,"

There is no tread-labour, but shot-drill, crank- labour, carrying stone and stone breaking are in force.

The hours of labour throughout the year are from the 1st March to the 31st October from 6.15 a,u. to 4 p.m., and from the 1st November to the 28th February from 6.45 8.10. to 4 p.in., one hour being allowed for dinner. Prisoners at crank labour, full task, have to complete 12,500 revolutions at a 12 lb. pressure. Chinese prisoners at shot-drill do 44 hours in spells of half an hour at a tine, with stonecarrying or onkum-picking in the intervals.

Tailoring, shoe-making, soap-muking, carpentering. huskbeating, grass aul coir mat making, rattan work, printing, book-binding, tinsmithing, washing, clean- ing, gardening, and incidental repairs to the Prison buildings.

1. Small denched parties are occasionally employed on garden work, building or repairs,

2. By armed guards.

3. Nil,

1. No profits.

The total expenditure of the Gaol in 1924 was $375,158,14 of which the Sum of 8357' was refunded for the subsistence of Military Court Matrial prisoners, Debtors, &c., as follows:-

Debtors,

Naval Prisoners,

-

$219

138

$357

XL.-Whant

the WHEN earnings during 1921?

KON

of the prisoners"

XII.—What is the number of the bours albuted for »leop? And, if sleep is in association, are the dormi- tories lighted ? and how often are they patrolled during the night?

$121,86 103

The average rime daring which the prisoners sleep is abont || hous in 24.

The wells of the Victoria Gaol are not lighted, but lights are kept burning in all passages and corridors, and the patrols on duty are provided with lamps to throw light into the cells when required.

At Lai Chi Kok prisoners sleep in association in lighted Halls,

Patrols are on duty in Vistoria Gaol throughout the night, mud patrol the corridors, pussages and yards of the prison constautly. The patrols are visited at frequent intervals by a Principal Wander.

At Lai Chi Kok the patrols are behind a grille through which they supervise the prisoners. They are frequently visited by senior officers,