1932 — Page 492

490

(X 2)

Questions,

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

VII. If so, during what periods of imprisonments, in respect of what classes of prisoners, and during how many hours, is such penal labour enforced? In stating hours of treal-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 labour, other than penal labour is in use?

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

1. În 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 during each of the last three years?

4. How are the profits of their labour accounted

for?

X. What was the total annual cost of the Prison during the year 1932 ?

Answers.

There is no tread-mill. Shot-drill, crank-labour, and carrying stone are no longer practised.

The hours of labour throughout the year are from 7 a.m. to p.m., one hour being allowed for the mid- day meal.

No work is usually performed on Saturday after- moons, Sundays, Xmas Day, Good Friday & Chinese New Your Day.

Tailoring, shoe-making, soap-making, painting, photography, net-making, carpentering, grass and coir mat making, rattan work, type casting, printing, book-binding, tinsmithing, washing, cleaning, garden- ing, and incidental repairs to the Prison buildings.

1. Detached parties are employed on garden work, building or repairs.

2. By armed guards.

3. 1930 One.

1981 Nil. 1932 Nil

4. Credited to Revenue.

The total expenditure of the Gaol in 1932 was $765,777,56 of which the sum of $1,596.70 was refunded for the subsistence of Military Court Martial prisoners, Debtors, &e., as follows :—

Debtors, Naval Prisoners, Military

$1,282.00

174.50

140.20

$ 1,596.70

XI-What was the amount of the prisoners' earnings during 1932 ?

XII. What is the number of the hours allotted for sleep? And, if sleep is in association, are the durmi- tories lighted? and how often are they patrolled during the night?

$197,795.80.

The average time allotted for sleep is about 11 hours in 24.

The cells of the Victoria Gaol are not artificially 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 Victoria Gaol throughout the night, and patrol the corridors, passages and yards of the prison constantly. The patrols are visited at frequent intervals by a Principal Warder.

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

The Female Prison is artificially lighted throughout. Wardresses patrol at night.