67

1.—4

(15.) Open-bar grating over each door of cell in front, through all concrete buildings, and in rear wall air-bricks leading in shafts built in the wall. No heating apparatus, but each cell is lighted by gas. (16.) Only water drainage, which is connected with main sewer of town, which is only for water sewerage. The soil from the closets is removed three times per week, and oftener if considered necessary, to the position allotted by Borough Council for such purpose, to be washed away by the sea. Four prisoners, accompauied by an officer, leave the prison in early morning for this purpose. (i 7.) As before stated, this prison is easy of access, and, by the materials used in construction— namely, concrete—may be considered, when finished, proof against escape from within. The divisional separate cells, ISS, are and will be complete (according to English-prison arrangements) in all that is requisite for the proper working of a prison on separate system, especially so when the prisoners located therein are employed on public works. The accommodation will be considerably increased when the prison is completed. The baths are of concrete, and, when the new kitchen is built, hot water will be laid on ; then the bathing accommodation will be more complete than at present. Only cold water is now supplied to the baths, and there are not sufficient means to prepare hot water in large quantity. (18.) Is already adapted for separate confinement by cellular accommodation; and hard and industrial labour by employment on roads and other works; and trade employ iv the shops, as far as practicable. (19.) No special means. Nearly the whole of the prison building will be fire-proof, being of concrete; and, if the balconies are floored of slate or stone (the present oues to the new wing are of wood), no difficulty would be likely to occur to prevent the removal of the prisoners before any material injury could arise by fire. 3. Prison Regulations in Force and Discipline. < (1.) Yes ; as directed in Prison Regulations, 18th March, 1875. Rule 88. (2.) No. (3.) The following rules and regulations have been departed from, viz. : — Paragraph 18, " Prisons Act, 1873." Debtors are separated from criminals, but not altogether, in that they are within observation, and criminal prisoners sometimes are reported for corresponding with them by signals. Paragrapli 26, " Prisons Act." Gaolers have received power to give separate confinement for twenty-four hours. A 7arious trivial privations, such as stoppage of gas-light, bed, marks, tea, &c, for minor offences —-not of sufficient importance to be brought before a Visiting Justice —have been inflicted by the Gaoler, subject to the subsequent approval of the A 7isitiug Justices. Prison Regulations, 18th March, 1575 :— Sec. 16. Singing is permitted in Church services. Sec. 20. Detrimental to discipline for prisoners in association to be made officially acquainted with each others' offences, antecedents, &c.; and, as prisoners in this prison are nearly all under cellular treatment, the rule does not apply. On the outside of each cell door is a card, notifying name, offence, sentence, religion, and date of conviction. See. 27. No opportunity for keeping prisoners awaiting trial apart from convicted criminal prisoners. Sec. 30. Except at Christmas, when one pint of beer has been allowed to such prisoners who chose to take it. Sec. 34. Prisoners awaiting trial are compelled to wear prison clothing (but it is of different colour to convicted prisoners), as it would not be safe to have prisoners in private clothing with penalservitude prisoners under long sentences; aud there is no means of separation at this prison. Sec. 45. Prisoners' hair and whiskers are allowed to grow two months before liberation, as one month in many cases is not sufficient to grow hair (if it is kept properly cut short in prison) ; and to be discharged with short hair might be detrimental to prisoners' interest on discharge, which it is best to avoid. Sec. 57. There is no infirmary or proper place for sick prisoners ; but, when the prison is finished building, probably will be, as it is noted on plans. Section 59. No school at this prison in consequence of its rebuilding, &c, but prisoners are supplied with educational books in their cells according to their capabilities, as also with slate, pencil, &c. Section 102. No Surgeon's journal kept. There being no hospital accommodation, all the subordinate appendages required by regulations are not carried out. (4.) Answered in replies to No. 3. (5.) Yes. A 7ery good. (6.) There are no objections of any import, except from the Gaoler, regarding prison rules. The Gaoler feels his hands tied daily in consequence of Rule 26 in Prisons Act, offences being committed with impunity because it is known it is not expedient to bring prisoners for every trifling offence before a Visiting Justice; it also lessens the influence of the Visiting Justices in the eyes of the prisoner in a great degree to be always sitting to determine on uvvt-y petty occasion, and makes the Gaoler a laughing-stock—a person in authority without power. A 7isiting Justices should only be called upon to determine in serious cases, on a settled Board day. The same remarks apply in a degree to the subordinate officers of the prison, who cannot be dealt with for minor neglect of duty, &c, without being brought before a Visiting Justice, aud it is hurtful to the officer, in his own eyes and the eyes of his fellow-officers, to be continually arraigned before the Visiting Justices. In a prison where discipline is enforced, many things necessarily occur which arc not of sufficient import to be brought before a Visiting Justice, yet which it is detrimental in the interest of the service to pass over. (7.) Three.