MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9301, 31 December 1895, Page 6

MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN

Minster Magazine. I will open my remarks on present punish, menfc with a sketch of a modern cell. Th o I bedding is stowed in military compactness in one corner, whilst the tin can, plate, and Bible lie upon a sholf, and the plank bed rests against the wall in a nearly upright position. Flogging, which, lam glad to learn on inquiry is comparatively rare in our prisons, is perhaps the severest form of chastisement, excepting capital punishment which occurs in our country nowadays, and is only awarded for excessive insubordination or brutal assaults on the warders. The birch is composed of a bunch of short wisps the projecting points of which can accomp. lish a great deal in the way of suffering. The cat-o'-nine-tails takes the form of a short handle to which arc bound nine long hard cords, each terminating in a formidable, looking knot. I have seen an article of this kind with little squares of lead at tho ends of the thongs. Whichever sort of whip may be used, however, it is certain that the fellow enduring a thrashing receives, at each blow, nine long gashes, for the officials have a way of not only driving the thongs against the flesh, but also of drawing them across the back immediately the cruel knots touch the man. Brine is afterwards rubbed into the wounds, as a healing agent, I am informed, but it really acts as a horrible, and thoroughly brutal, additional measure of pain. The treadmill ranks next in order of severity, and in connection with it, it is curious to reflect that it forms a practical example of making men earn their bread "by the sweat of their brow," for it really grinds the corn wherewith the prsioner's unpalatable brown bread is made.* Each man occupies a stall or compartment and holds on by his hands to a rail situated in the upper portion. The wheel consists of a long series of planks attached to an axle, and passes through circular holes in the partitions for a long distance. Tho prisoner has to place one foot on the step which is uppermost when ho alights on the scene, and assist in pressing the wheel downwards until the next plank appears below tho sloping board which conceals the top of tho wheel. It is not permissible to place both feet together on the same step; and neither foot can remain longer than a few seconds on the wheel, for as tho planks revolve downwards their consequent slop, ing condition prevents such a chance of rest. Unless faintness or deliberate obstinacy intervenes, the man must remain suspended in this painful attitude, with but just the front half of each foot treading alternately with its fellow on moving, slippery boards. It is a significant fact that in large gaols good-conduct prisoners are continually parading the torture chamber (for such it assuredly is) with cans of water, for' the occasional drinking of the men when they have a moment's Men have been known to fall, fainting, from their elevated positions. The plank-bed has been a article, but few people seem to be aware of its appearance. It is merely a few planks raised upon some cross beams, and fitted with a kind of wooden pillow. It is portable. Every prisoner, unless certified by the doctor to be too weak in health to endure it, has to lie nightly, for a period of a month or more, on this bare, hard bed, warmed with but a pair of sheets and a rug. When the hour of rest (?) arrives, his wearing apparel is taken from him and remains out of his reach till morning, so that he has two very harsh alternatives to choose from. Ho must either lie in direct contact with tho boards if he desires warmth above him ; or he must, if he elects to soften his bed and lie on the rug and sheets, shiver throughout the night in almost a state of nudity, without the slightest protection from the cold. The dark cell is a punishment less endurable than might be supposed. A sheet of iron pierced with holes for the admission of just sufficient light to enable the authorities to say that the cell is not in total darkness, screens the window. The prisoner sentenced by the governor of the gaol to one, two, three, or a longer number of days' incarceration, is confined by himself, and has a bare plank-bed to sleep upon, and nothing bat bread and water as food, generally speaking. There are two doors to the • cell, the obvious purpose of this extrava- 5 gance being the desire to cut the victim off as effectively as possible from all sounds, as well as light, and make his lot the harder to bear. I think that it is a great shame that this punishment is permitted, for the reason hereafter advanced. Everyone, I doubt not, is aware that if a person suddenly issues from a darkened room in which he has remained for a lengthy period, and enters a lighted apartment, an unbearable pain in the eyes, and consequent dimness, ensues. Surely then a man's sight must be seriously, and perhaps permanently, impaired; when, after a prolonged captivity in a dark cell, he is suddenly brought into the light of day.