THE "CAT" AS USED IN PRISONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 33, 7 February 1906, Page 8

THE "CAT" AS USED IN PRISONS.

(To the Editor.* ; Sir, —I see a prisoner in England has received eighteen strokes of the "cat"' for assaulting a warder. ' The punishment may (or may not) be just, but, as usually inflicted, has, I am confident, far-reaching I injurious consequences apparently overi looked. The "cat" in England is comI posed of nine lashes of stout whipcord, I each lash has three treble knots, and the lashes are secured to a turned handle eighteen inches long. The punishment is inflicted by a stalwart warder, who doubtless "does not spare the child." The blow's fall on that portion of the body from the shoulders to the waist, that cover ths most important organs of the body—the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys, Who can tell the injury .that may result to these all-important organs, from the severe blows dealt in this delicate region ? Possibly in many cases a life-long suffering may result. Either the "cat" ought to be abolished, and the birch rod substituted, or if the "cat" is retained it ought to be applied in the same manner as the birch rod is, to that portion of the body where it can do no injury: the punishment would be equally as effective and free from the present danger. That the birch rod is terribly severe punishment I can bear witness, having been present at the punishment of a stout boy' of fourteen, at the earnest wish of his father, whose feelings prevented him attending. I can only describe the proceedings as torture, certainly exceeding reasonable punishment, and only half the allotted number of strokes were given (six strokes instead of twelve).—l am, etc, iFKED. A. G. COTTEEEEL.