IN A GERMAN PRISON

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 14

IN A GERMAN PRISON

COOL REQUESTS BY PRISONERS.

According to a special correspondent of the " Daily Chronicle," the recent revolt at Brandenburg prison, the principal penal establishment in Prussia, .was due to the refusal of the authorities to concede the following demands made by a deputation of convicts. The writer points out that the delegates could hardiv have asked for more if they had been representatives of a trade union:—(l) Freedom to smoke; (2) freedom of choice,of reading matter; (3) a thousand marks a day increased pay for convict labour; (4) more and better food. This programme, which would have transformed the prison into a popular sanatorium, was, of course, promptly rejected. Obviously the convicts had anticipted a negative: result of their agitation, for at a "given moment, and ow a signal, they began a carefuly prepared programme of -direct action." Furniture' in the cells, eating utensils, windows—all wero smashed to fragments. Through' tho broken panes, table legs, stools, and cupboards were flung into the courtyard ■ below, v, . ' • .. J

Several prisoners who had managed to 65£ ap5 from-the cells then released tho others", and against' tlie concerted rebellion the warders were helpless. Their fives were endangered, and they liad to leave one part of the building i n tho possession of the convicts, who continued their orgy of destruction. It was a pitchdark night, and not until dawn were the police able to take the offensive against the convict-held citadel. Then after an officer had shouted a warninc' the Eohpe directed rifle fir e against tiie cells. This quelled the inmates' spirits though not until one of them was hit did they disappear from the roof and- cell windows. ' .