DISMAL DARTMOOR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 36, 26 January 1932, Page 5

DISMAL DARTMOOR

EX-PRISONER’S STATEMENT CAUSES OF OUTBREAK. A LONG-PLANNED mutiny. (United Press Association—By eabl«Copyright.) (Received 26, 10.45 a.m.) London, Jan. 25. "‘The mutiny was planned months ago,” declared Jacobus Vandyn, who was recently released from Dartmoor “I was asked to distribute keys to the desperate characters who intended to release other prisoners, overpower the warders and escape during a foggy night. Dartmoor is so dismal that the men would do anything to escape the terrible monotony of its living death. ‘The walls are so damp that water trickles on the heads of sleeping convicts. The porridge is uneatable owing to the oats being stored in a damp place and the bread so bad that eighi. barrels are tilled daily with the leavings The Governor is disliked despite his considerateness. Food was the principal cause of the discontent. The warders are decent fellows, and simply did then duty.” Sir Herbert Samuel conferred with the Home Office officials and discussed the question of punishment of the ringleaders and the exercise of leniency towards Donovan and other special cases. Residents who climbed trees when the fighting was at its height declare that they saw several shot. The prison authorities decline to make a statement, but additional doctors have been summoned. HOME OFFICE COMMUNIQUE. IMMEDIATE INQUIRY TO BE HELD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 26, 12.30 p.m.) Rugby, Jan. 25. The Home Office communique regarding the Dartmoor disturbance states: ‘‘While the prisoners were being marched into the chapel at 9.30 a.m., over 100 out of the total prison population of about 400 broke away, and the prison staff was unable for a time to obtain control. Some prisoners broke into the administrative offices and burnt a number of records. Prisoners also attempted to scale the walls, and it was necessary for the prison officers to use their firearms to prevent escapes. “Some prisoners received shot wounds and some were injured by the staves used bv the officers It was necessary to summon the police from Plymouth and Exeter to help the prison staff They arrived at 10.45 and by 11 o’clock all the prisoners were under complete control and the disturbance was at an end. “No prisoners escaped and none was seriously injured. About 20 are in hospital with minor injuries. No officers were seriously hurt. A few received minor injuries, but none required to be sent to hospital. “A large number of the prisoners took no part in the disturbance and many helped the prison staff. GAUSES NOT KNOWN. •‘The causes of the trouble are not known- The Home Secretary, however, will arrange for an inquiry to be made at once into all the circumstances. There will be no difficulty in obtaining fioin other sources such particulars as are requisite to replace the burnt records.” The Home Secretary has appointed Mr. Herbert du Parcq, K.C., Recorder of Bristol, to hold an immediate inquiry into the whole circumstances connected with the disorder. He will he assisted bv Mr. Alexander Paterson, one of the prison’s commissioners. All is quiet at Dartmoor to-day, except for the minor effects of rough handling. None of the prison officials or police were hurt and only one convict was seriously injured. He is suffering from concussion caused by falling off the roof.

CONVICT DONOVAN. HERO OF THE HOUR. (Received 26, 11.55 a.m.) London, January 25. All the convicts at Dartmoor were confined in their cells to-day, and the guards were trebled at the chief points of the prison walls. Troops were held in readiness at Plymouth but nothing happened. Newspapers give prominence to convict Donovan’s rescue of Commissioner Turner (see earlier cable on page 6), publishing photographs of the convict and details of his last-minute reprieve from the death sentence in 1928, even after the scaffold had been erected. Correspondents are already suggesting Donovan’s release for bravery, and offers of employment are being made. The poor quality of the food, dampness of cells, and general treatment are the chief grievances of tho convicts,, whose incendiarism brought its own punishment, the destruction of the heating system causing them to shiver in their cells on this winter season’s most frosty morning. It is freely suggested that the amount of liberty which allowed the prisoners to mingle in the yards and grounds enabled them to plot the exact moment of the rising. It also enabled them to collect weapons.