THE COLONIST PUBLISHED DAILY. NELSON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1883. DUNEDIN GAOL ENQUIRY.

Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3701, 4 September 1883, Page 3

THE COLONIST PUBLISHED DAILY. NELSON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1883. DUNEDIN GAOL ENQUIRY.

:. (B* ElbotbioTelegbaph) . ; . ' WELLINGTON. v September 8. The Dunedin Gaol Commiss'oners (Messrs Curtis and Wbiteford) report that tbey came to the conclusion that the following irregularities in the Dunedin Gaol were proved to have occurred during the years 1877 to 1883; inclusive:--That several prisoners were continuously treated with special indulgence by the Gaoler, with the general knowledge and sanction of the Visiting Justices. '; ■.'■'. „;.-". ■:.-\.;-» ::'• ; ' That charges of idleness, and other offences brought against prisoners, were habitually held over.for weeks, and sometimes months, before being finally dealt with, although the Justices visited the Gaol, at least once a week, and generally more frequently. In one case, eighteen charges had been made against a prisoner,, extending over a period of sii weeks, before any one of them was finally dealt with. That minor offences, that of idleness especially, were frequently punished by the Visiting Justices, by repeated sentences of additional imprisonment, for terms, in many cases, amounting in the aggregate to far more than the original sentence of the prisoner, and that in many instances tbe punishment of additional imprisonment was awarded for the first offence, or at all events, as a first punishment. The Visitiag Justices, in the opinion of the Commissioners, acted without authority of law, as well as with undue severity. That sufficient care was not taken to establish charges of malingering. One prisoner having died whilst under punishment for that offence, in the shape of reduced diet and additional imprisonment. A.notber prisoner having been under punishment for malingering, by reduction of diet and additional imprisonment, concurren ely, with regular treatment by the Medical Officer, as shown by repeated entries in the prescription book. In the later case, moreover, on the man's eventual discharge, the Medical Officer procured his admission into the Dunedin Hospital. ; That on the occasion of the inquest upon the body of the prisoner first referred to in the last paragraah, the Gaoler did not tender tbe evidence of either Warders, or the prisoner's Wardsman, who were in attendance on the prisoner at the time of his death, and that the Coroner and jury were in consequence not in possession of evidence which would be calculated to guide their decision upon the case. That some of the Warders were urged by the Gaoler to make more frequent charges of idleness, or other offences against the prisonors than those officers considered necessary. That a system of espoinage was encouraged by the Gaoler amongst the I warders, and also amongst the prisoners, both as regarded themselves and officers, in whose charge they were placed and that good feeling among the officers as well as the general discipline were thereby injuriously aflected. That the female prisoners were frequently put in temporary charge of male warders. That proper care was net taken to keep female prisoners apart from warders, or male prisoner*}, while confined in their cells, and while engaged m scrubbing and other work in the male side of tbe prison. That the Gaoler, with tie sanction of the Medical Officer, and the knowledge of the Visiting Justices, at various times gave spirits to-prisoners, and that practice was by no tneanß confined to cases of sickness.' That the Medical Officer did not take sufficient care to inform himself of his,duties, and did n>t keep a satisfactory record of his medical trea'ment of the prisoners. '^w,. ' That some of the priioa stored .were

on pne occasion, improperly -concealed from the Inspector .of Stores, but that the Gaoler had no dishonest intention in such concealment, and-only wished, to obtain' a more plentiful .•'Supply fort gaol purposes. '..; '\-r o .*• j . •; That gratuities, .in excess of the ami am to sum allowed by lawj have in two or three cases been given to prisoners on discharge. • ' : ■■ .-.. That some of;the prisoners* indue]*, ibg habitual crimminals, were permitted by the Gaoler to take part io the proceedings of something of the, nature of a debating society^ and that on-one occasion an opera performance was held,, in which prisoners took part. < That both the debating society and ,the. opera had the sanction of the Visiting Justices. That both the Gaoler and the Visit, ing Justices showed a hostile spirit towards the Inspector of Prisons from the first. That, the Gaoler impeded the In* spector of Prisons in the execution of hisdutj, and persistently disobeyed his orders. That the Gaoler gave cause for much: unnecessary correspondence by evasive answers to the Inspector's inquiries. That the Gaoler obstructed tbe Inspector in carrying out his desire to see prisoners and hear their complainti unrestricted by the presence of tbe Gaoler or other officers of the prison. The Commissioners at the same time call attention to the following further conclusions to which they have arrived by tbe evidence before them: — That many of the irregularities lately existing in Dunedin Prison were the continuation of arrangements and practices which prevailed whilst tbe Gaol was under Provincial management;, and which had apparently tbe sanction of the Provincial■ authorities. That the Visiting Justices;'especially Captain Eraser, Mr Logan, and Mr Brown, have been unremitting in their attendance at the Prison, and in their attention to its affairs.. v That 'the Gaoler, Mr.&aldwell, has throughout given most zealous attention to his duties. That although the Gaoler has been rough with the prisoners on many occasions, the charges of serions personal violence appears to be without foundation, and it waa proved to our satisfaction that he treated sick >; prisoners with every care and attention whenever he was satified they were really ill, and not malingering. That in our opinion the Visiting Justices are responsible, not only for the manner in which they have dealt with prison offences, but also in a great measur* for the breach of regulations and irregularities which we have pointed but. Were it not for the absence of Captain Fraser, who had no opportunity of explaining his actions, and we believe the adoption of the suggestions we append to this report would render a repetition of such , abuses. impossible, we should have felt constrained to recommend, your Excellency to remove those gen« tlemen from their position in con* lion with the prison. RECOMMENDATIONS. j 1. That the late Gaoler of tho Dunedin Piison, Mr James Caldwell, be required to retire from the service, upon the pension to which we understand that he is entitled. 2. That the services of the medical officer, Dr. Burns, be dispensed with. 3. That Warders Flannery, Watson, and Noonau be removed: from the service. , 4. That all the Warders in the Dunedin Prison, who have i served therein for more than five years, be exchanged to other Prisons at the earliest opportunity. 5. That all prison officers, including Gaolers, should in future be appointed subject, to the condition of peri dical removal to other prisons. : 6. That all charges against warders shall, if required by the accused offi« csrs, be heard by a Kesident Magis? trate, together with one or more Visiting Justices. . 7. That the powers and duties of the Inspector of Prisons- be clearly defined by Act of Parliament. . 8. That every fresh offence of malingering should be dealt with by a B.M.i and that the evidence of two qualified medical men should be required for conviction. 9. That the power of punishment of prison offence ot by additional imprisonment which is now entrusted to Visiting Justices should be vested in a R.M." Court after an hearing in, open Court. : 10. That a monthly return of all punishments for prison offences be furnished by each Gaoler to the Inspector of Prisons. 11. That stringent regulations should be framed to provide for the safety of prison armories. 12; That as regards first class Prisons during the absence of tbe Matron, either on leave of absence or from any other cause the gaol should not be left without a female officer being in attendance on the female prisoners.