During the last 2 years 3 ex-turnkeys have been imprisoned
for various offences, 3 others have been detained in gaol pending payment
of fines for drunkenness and assault and 3 others have been admitted as
destitutes.
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This, which is a most discreditable state of things
has had a most disastrous effect on discipline, and the perpetual changes in
the staff has made it impossible to carry on the work satidfactorily.
Towards the end of last year as I stated in my
last Annual Report I was successful in obtaining a superior class of men to
fill the vacancies. At the present time there are several of the staff who
with training should make good officers but I know that they will not continue
to serve for the present rate of pay.
The chief causes of the discontent which exisi
among the staff are (1) the length of hours of duty (2) the inadequate pay of
the junior ranks (3) the want of a proper mess room and entire absence of any
recreation room.
As to the first cause, long hours in the prison servi
ice cannot be avoided. At present the 2 divisions of turnkeys are on duty for
10 and 9 hours respectively on alternate days, but I an making arrangements
48/40
to reduce the time to 9 1/4/hours respectively and I hope that this change will
take effect from the 11th inst. This is the utmost concession which can be madı
with due regard to the service.
As regards the second cause of discontent I
an of opinion that the pay of the European Officers in the junior ranks should
be raised but I submit that the staff should be reorganized and I beg to recom-
mend (1) that the number of European discipline officers should be reduced from
40 to
24/2
of these men being detailed for duty in the inferuary (2) that 25
f
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