ARMED PATROLS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 21 (Supplement)

ARMED PATROLS.

Stringent Precautions at Dartmoor.

ATTACK ON GOVERNOR. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, December 5. Half a dozen experienced prison officers, all skilled marksmen and highly trained young men, will arrive at Princetown to-morrow morning to augment the staff in charge of the 250 convicts in Dartmoor Prison. This is part of the authorities’ plan to deal with the unrest which has prevailed in the prison for some time and culminated last week in an assault on the Governor (Major C. Pannall). Major Pannall is at present in London recuperating from the strain he underwent last month, when two convicts, Frederick Amey and John Michael Gasken, escaped and were at liberty for nearly a week. He is also nursing injuries he received last week, when, in response to repeated requests, he explained to Amey the regulations which laid down that an escaped convict, when recaptured, had to undergo solitary confinement on bread and water. It is alleged that Amey broke away from two warders and struck the governor in the face. Major Pannall fell backwards and his head struck a stone wall. It is not definitely known whether Major Pannall will resume his duties. Meanwhile, Major J. Harvey, sent to Princetown from Pentonville, where he is assistant-governor, to take charge during Major Pannall’s absence, is proceeding with the scheme for reorganising the prison staff. Mounted Warders. Mounted warders now circle the prison while the convicts are at work, and armed officers patrol the high boundary wall inside the prison to check any attempts at escape. Rifle practice has, after a long interval, been resumed, and during the past few days the convicts have heard reports as the officers have fired at a dummy figure representing an escaping convict. Three men of the temporary day guard whose markmanship was not up to the standard have received notice to end their employment, and three veteran officers have been transferred to other prisons. The six vacancies will be filled to-morrow by the new arrivals. Normally, when the convicts arc brought out and paraded before being locked in the chapels and halls in which religious services are held half the prison staff are at breakfast. This morning, however, all the officers remained on duty until after the parade. It was during the religious service period that the January mutiny took place. To-day Tne service passed off without incident.