PRIVATE PRISONS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7564, 7 May 1919, Page 7

PRIVATE PRISONS.

THE ROYAL CELLS

Probably few people are aware of the existence of the five private prisons ;n England.

To begin with, there is a prison at Windsor Castle where refractory servants, butlers, etc., employed* at the Royal residence are lodged "by the- authorities when guilty of any offence. Though it is a good many years since the last prisoner was lodged there, the power to place anyone deiiind those prison bars still remains.

CELLS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. There is also a private prison at Buckingham Palace. Offenders, before committed to its precincts, are ti;ed by the "Board of Green Cloth,' consisting of the Lord Steward, the Treasurer Comptroller, and the Master o<" the Household. This unique body of magistrates can try offences ranging from high treason to petty theft, and when found guilty the prisoner is sent t« ibis Royal prison. Perhaps the most estraordinarv of all private prisons is the Clock Tower ■ f the House of Commons, where more than one refraotory s member of the '"Bouse" luu been confined. It is the Speaker who has the p.wer and right 4c order any person there if it reaily becomes necessary. Su:h an experience once befell the late Mr. Charles Bradlaugh and also several prominent Irish politicians. PROCTOR'S PUNISHMENT. The strange survival at Oxford, in virtue of whitta. the duly app<Jtinted proctors of the University Kiive the power to imprison any person whom they believe to be a hindrance to the welfare of the town, is also of marked interest. The person upon whom tthey cast a disfavourable eye need not be a. criminal; it is simply a matter of opinion with these proctors, who can deal ou>t punishment as they please and brook no interference from the law.