the-ordinances-of-the-legislative-counci-1890v2 — Page 200

790 [ 18 OF 1885. ] PRISON.


293. As soon as the prison accommodation shall permit of it, prisoners
committed to prison for breaches of naval and military discipline shall be kept
separate from civil prisoners.
RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PRISONERS
ON PUBLIC WORKS .
PRISONERS.

294. Prisoners employed on public works shall be divided into gangs not
exceeding sixteen men , and each gaug shall be kuown by a number.
295. Each gang shall be under the charge of an assistant turnkey armed
with a short sword for his defence, who shall have the number of his gang
on a badge affixed to his left arm ; and the gangs shall be under the charge
of a head turnkey armed with sword and revolver, who shall be assisted by a
turnkey armed in the same manner .
296. The prisoners in such gangs shall work in coupling chains of about
twelve feet long, fastened by means of anklets and padlocks.
297. If the work is near the prison, the prisoners shall be marched in to
their mid -day meal at noon , but if at too great a distance from the prison the
meal shall be sent to them .

298. The gang prisoners will breakfast at about 6.20 A.M., and leave the
prison for their work at about 7 A.M., rest one hour for their mid -day meal
from 12 to 1 , and knock off work in the afternoon so as to reach the prison at
5 P.J., (nine hours daily, including marching in and out).
299. On Saturdays the gang prisoners will work until noon .
300. Their mid -day meal will consist of 1.) pint of rice congee thickened
with cheap meat.
301. Any prisoner with a longer sentence than eight years may be kept at
work within the prison until he has served one -third of such sentence .
302. In addition to the head turnkey in charge of gang prisoners, the
turnkey and the assistant turnkeys in direct charge of the gangs, three or four
Sikh guards shall be posted in convenient positions round the works, armod
with loaded rifles, to prevent escapes.

303. The head turnkey 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 purpose 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 Surveyor General for all the tools
used by the prisoners. IIe shall on no account allow people to loiter near the
prisoners while at work , or to converse with the officers.
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304. The turnkey shall be under the command of the head turnkey, and
shall assist him in the performance of his duties. He shall move about con
tinually among the gangs, keeping a watchful eye on both officers and pris
oners . When needed he shall take charge of detached gangs, and shall at
such times use great discretion in the disposal of his officers so as to prevent
the escape of any prisoners, remembering that their safe custody should be
his first care .