DARTMOOR PRISON

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 172, 17 April 1937, Page 9

DARTMOOR PRISON

Reported Plan For Mutinj on Coronation Day STAFF ON DUTY TREBLED (Received April 16, 7 p.m.) London, April 15. Despite official denials, it is understood that a series of incidents at Dartmoor Prison similar to those preceding the mutiny .in 1932 has led to stern disciplinary action. Outbursts are reported to have broken out at meal times, plates and soup bowks being thrown at officers to direct attention to the grievances of long-term prisoners. The warders have been equipped with truncheons. Denials that there has been trouble are discounted by the fact that while regulations were-issued some time ago withdrawing arms and batons from guards, the latter are all now thus armed, while the staff on duty to-night has been trebled. It is stated that 300 prisoners had planned another mutiny for Coronation Day. The trouble is understood to concern the quality and quantity of the food. DENIAL OF REPORTS Commission’s Statement (British Oflicial Wireless.) (Received April 16, 5.5 p.m.) Rugby, April 15. In view of Press reports that there had been an outbreak of violence among prisoners at Dartmoor Prison, the commission issued an oflicial statement fo-day that the reports were untrue. It appears from the oflicial statement that on two occasions this month a small number of prisoners made complaints about food and in connection with these incidents five prisoners committed minor breaches of discipline. Cases were reported and dealt with by the governor or the board of visitors. Discontent among the prisoners at Dartmoor culminated in a mutiny in January, 1932. The mutineers charged the warders, who fired with buckshot without stopping the rush. Buildings and records were burnt. Fifty policemen then charged and subdued the mutineers, the loaders of whom received substantial addiitons to their sentences.