225
(B.)
Return of Offences reported of Prisoners fighting with or assaulting each other, or Officers, for the years 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888.
MONTH.
1885. Daily average number Daily average number
in Prison, 530.
in Prison, 674.
1886.
1887.
1888.
Daily average number Daily average number
in Prison, 581.
in Prison, 531.
Prisoners and their discipline.
7. The number of Prison offences continues large in comparison with those of English Prisons but their number is decreasing and much less than in previous years, and it is satisfactory to observe that the more serious offences have much diminished. During the year there have been 4,414 Prison offences to an average of 531 Prisoners giving a little over 8 offences for each Prisoner during the year; the lowest average attained for many years past. On the last day of the year 140 Disoners had been free of Prison punishment for upwards of three months, among these 35 had been free of punishment for upwards of a year.
8. I append as usual Returns showing the number of punishments during the year for the most common offences. Similar Returns for the last three years being shown alongside for the sake of comparison.
9. During the year there were three cases of insubordination towards and assaults ou officers of the Gaol (included in Return B.) a marked diminution of such offences as compared with previous years. The offenders were tried and awarded corporal punishment.
10. The risk of conspiracies and combinations among Prisoners, I have adverted to in former reports as always existing with a lot of criminals sleeping in association. As in previous years so during the last year we have had proof of this in two desperate attempts of large number to escape from chain gang. The stricter the Gaol discipline the more anxions Prisoners will be to try and effect an escape-on the last occasion, on the 18th September those attempting to escape were re-captured, but unfortunately in the struggle the lives of one trustworthy warder and of two Prisoners were lost. while four other Prisoners were wounded but recovered. A full report of the circumstances was sub- mitted at the time.
Industrial Labour.
11. The Chain gang on Public Works has been working during the year with an average strength of 50 or 60 Prisoners-less than last year. I had to reduce one and sometimes two of the six gangs owing to scarcity of Officers many of whom were on the sick list during the year, the work was carried on at a considerable distance about three miles from the Gaol, the work done was not very satisfactory and has now been suspended. After the experience of the year I trust it will not be resumed until the introduction of the separate system.
January,
February, March, April,.. May, June,
July,
August, September, October, November, December,......
28
14
21
14
18
15
20
21
18
17
11
19
29
32
29
11
6
31
41
27
22
19
33
19
27
13
31
11
13
13
39
8
12
४
26
18
13
17
27
13
9
18
10
7
10
19
Total,.....
204
195
306
185
A. GORDON,
Superintendent.
12. As to other industrial work we are much hampered by want of space, having to utilize veran dahs and passages as workshops. But the industries of Coir, yarn work, shoe-making and book-bindingFebruary, have been increased, I append the usual Returns of Gaol Industrial work.
January,
March,
April,
A. GORDON,
May,
June,
Superintendent.
July,
August,
(A.)
VICTORIA GAOL.
Return of Reports for talking, &c., in the years 1885, 1880, 1887 and 1888.
1885.
MONTH.
1886. Daily average number Daily average number
in Prison, 530.
in Prison, 674.
1887.
1888.
Daily average number in Prison, 584.
Daily average number
in Prison, 631.
(0.)
Return of Offences of Prisoners having Tobacco, for the years 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1888.
1885.
MONTH.
1886. Daily average number Daily average number
in Prison, 674. in Prison, 530.
1887.
1888.
Daily average number Daily average number
in Prison, 531. in Prison, 584.
September,
October....
28
14
16
10
14
20
133
106
8800625
11
27
7
39
15
34
9
57
-47
11
40
31
58
17
71
30
32
23
33
**&&*NOUKAN
74
35
48
25
61
27
34
22
30
35
34
17
November,.. December,
Total,..
709
212
435
442
A. GORDON,
Superintendent.
(D.)
Comparative Return of Prisoners confined in Victoria Gaol on the 31st December, 1886, 31st December, 1887 and 31st December, 1888.
January,
55
119
146
355
1886.
1887.
1888.
CONVICTION,
February,
25
135
76
320
March,
44
248
97
362
April,
23
330
408
380
1st,
May,
252
197
963
402
June,
362
2nd,
298
918
296
3rd,
July,
289
297
500
268
4th,
August,
344
232
530
225
5th,
September,
254
818
558
220
October,......
174
6th,
209
429
222
7th,
November,
148
183
184
328
8th,
December,
162
93
113
277
9b,
10th,
11th,
Total,...
2,132
2,659
4,921
3,645
12th,
414
136
367
62
30
43
35
34
35
27
15
13
24
20
16
18
15
13
15
10
4
10
10
8
1
1
1
3
3
2
2
1
1
612
576
A. GORDON,
TOTAL,
Superintendent.
503
A. GORDON,
Superintendent.
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