628645-1899-Prison-Regulations — Page 35

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25TH MARCH, 1899.

Mid-day meal.

Hours of labour.

Duties of officer in charge.

Duties of Warders.

Escape.

269.-(1.) If the work is near the prison, the prisoners shall be marched in to their mid-day meal, but if at too great a distance from the prison the meal shall be sent to them.

(2.) Their mid-day meal will consist of 14 pints of rice congee thickened with meat.

270.-(1.) The prisoners shall rest one hour for their mid-day meal, and knock off work in the afternoon so as to reach the prison in time for the evening meal, (nine hours daily, including marching in and out).

(2.) On Saturday's the gang prisoners will word until 11 a.m.

271. The Principal Warder in charge shall be continually on the alert during the day, shall repeatedly visit the gangs in his charge, and ascertain that all is correct or otherwise. He shall take discreet measures to prevent the escape of prisoners, and to effect their recapture if they are successful in escaping. He shall carefully observe the officers under his charge, and report weekly to the Superintendent of the prison on their efficiency in the management of their parties. He shall enter in a book to be kept for the pur- pose the number of gangs, number of prisoners, and the names of the officers under his charge, with the name of the district where the work is carried on and the description thereof. He shall be responsible to the Director of Public Works for all the tools used by the prisoners. He shall, on no account, allow people to loiter near the prisoners while at work or to converse with the officers.

272.-(1.) The Warders in charge of gangs shall at all times see to the safe custody of the prisoners and shall place themselves when on the works so as at all times to command a good view of the prisoners, shall repeatedly count the pri- soners during the day, and never turn their backs towards them, and shall on no account use a spade, pick, or any other tool, so as to place themselves at a disadvantage with regard to the prisoners.

(2.) The Warders shall be careful to ascertain that the anklets, chains, and padlocks are in proper order, and shall minutely examine them before leaving the prison, when knocking off work for the mid-day meal, and before returning to the prison in the evening.

(3.) The Warders shall keep a book in which they will enter the numbers, names, and senten- ces of the prisoners of their respective gangs, making special remarks as to the industry of each prisoner, and they shall be responsible to the Principal Warder for the tools used by their gangs.

273.-(1.) In the event of a prisoner's attempt- ing to escape, the officer in charge of the gang shall blow his whistle to attract the attention of the other officers, and shall immediately fall-in the remaining prisoners of his gang and await instructions from the Senior Officer in charge.

(2.) The Principal Warder and the Guards shall not fire at an escaping prisoner unless his escape cannot be prevented by any other means; and shall then only endeavour to disable him.