“LIVING DEATH”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11548, 27 January 1932, Page 5

“LIVING DEATH”

INDICTMENT OF DARTMOOR

EX-CONVICT'S STATEMENT.

MEETING LONG.PLANNED

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright)

LONDON, Jan. 25.

“The mutiny at Dartmoor prison was planned months ago,” declared Jacobus Vandyn, who was recently released. -‘I was asked to distribute keys to desperate characters who intended to release. other prisoners, over-power-the- warders, and escape during a foggy night. “Dartmoor is so dismal that the men do anything to escape the texriblo monotony of the living death. Tho walls are so damp that the water trickles oil the heads of sleeping convict’s. The porridge is not eatable owing to the oats being stored in (he damp, and the bread is so bad that eight barrels are tilled with leavings, The governor is disliked despite his eonsiderateness. The lood was the principal cause of the discontent. The warders are docent fellow's and simply did -their duty. ’ All is now quiet at tin* prison. Except- for the* minor eft eels of rough handling no prison officials or police were hurl, and only one convict was furiously injured. Flc is suffering from concussion caused by falling off the roof.

Sir Herbert Samuel conferred with Homo Officials and discussed the punishment oi the ringleaders and the exercise of leniency towards Donovan and other special cases. Residents who climbed trees when the lighting was at iis height declare that they saw several shot. The authorities decline to make a statement. but additional doctors have been summoned. (.&’ FICIA L ST AT EIIEX T. A Homo Office communique regarding the disturbance states: .“’While tho prisoners were being marched into chapel at o.3ft a.m. over 100 out of tin- total prison population of about 100 broke away. and ilia prison staff was unable for a time to obtain control. Some of the prisoners broke into tho administrative offices and burnt a number of records. The prisoners also attempted to scale Iho walls, and il was necessary for the prison officials to use firearms to prevent their escape. Some, prisoners received shot wounds, and some were injured by’staves used by tho officers. “It was necessary to summon police from .Plymouth and Exeter to help iho prison staff. They arrived at 16 45 a.m., and ly 1J o’clock all the prisoners were under complete control, and tho disturbance was at an end. No prisoners escaped, and none was seriously injured. About 20 are in hospital with minor injuries. No officers went seriously hurt. A fewreceived minor injuries, but none required to he sent, to hospital. A large number of prisoners took no part, in the disturbances, and many helped the prison staff CAUSES NOT KNOWN. “Tho causes of the trouble are not known. The Home Secretary will arrange for an inquiry to be made at once into all the circumstances. Thero will he no difficulty in obtaining from other sources such particulars as are required lo replace the burnt records. The Home Secretary has appointed Mr, Herbert Du Parcq, K. 0., Recorder of Bristol, to bold an immediate inquiry into the whole circumstances connected with tho disorder. Ho will he assisted by Mr. Alexander Paterson, one of the Prison Commissioners."

ALL CONFINED TO CELLS

HEATING SYSTEM DESTROYED

All the-convicts in Dartmoor, were confined to tho cells to-day and the guards were trebled at chief points on the prison walls. Troops were held in readiness at Plymouth, but? nothing happened.

The newspapers give prominence to Donovan’s rescue of Mr Turner, the Prison Commissioner, publishing photographs of the convict and details of his last-minute reprieve from the death sentence in 1028, even after the scaffold had been erected. Correspondents are already suggest, ing Donovan’s release for brnverv, and offers for his employment are being made.

HEATING SYSTEM DESTROYED

The poor quality of the food, the dampness of tho cells, and the general treatment arc the chief grievances of tho convicts, whoso incendiarism. brought its own punishment-, the destruction of tlm heating system, causing them to shiver in then cells on .tlio season’s frostiest morning. It is freely suggested that the amount of liberty allowed prisoners Ir. mingle in the yards and grounds enabled them to plot the exact moment of the rising and collect weapons.

SOLDIERS POSTED ABOUT GAOL

(U.P.A. by Elec. Ted. Copyright) (Received Jan. 26, 7 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 26. One hundred steel-lielmeted soldiers were rushed from Plymouth to Dartmoor late to-night, with four machine guns, and were po'sted r ound tho prison. Roads were, barricaded and cars were stopped, owing to a suspicion that friends of the prisoners would he waiting with car; to aid any escapees.