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Convict Conditions
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD, 1898. [ AT FREMANTLE GAOL.] Present: DR. ADAM JAMESON, Chairman' Mr. F. Craig, Mr. H. Stirling, Mr.J. Gallop, Mr. E. W. Mayhew, Dr. Lotz, and the Secretary. No. 10539, examined. 508. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Murder; life. 509. DIET.—The food given is not suitable for the followers of Mahomet, of whom I am one. [This witness appeared to be of weak intellect. It transpired that arrangements had been made by his brother, with the consent of the Crown, for his transfer to his native country.] No. 10493, examined. 510. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Incest; six years. 511. PERSONAL.—I have to do nine months extra probation because I was a convict under the Imperial Government. I would be glad to get that knocked of if possible, otherwise I shall be only fit for the Old Men's Depot. I am now 57 years of age. No. 3561, examined. 512. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Fictitious telegrams; six months. 513. PERSONAL.—I was on the Norseman field, and, in common with the general practice there, undoubtedly sent off fictitious telegrams in imaginary names relative to share transactions. I did not know there was any harm in this. Half the people on the field did it, and the officials never warned me, although they constantly took these fictitious telegrams from me. At the most I think I should have been fined. I was then, and am now, ready to pay a fine. The Court at Norseman said no adequate fine was provided by the law as an alternative, but I have ascertained that they can fine up to £100. No. 368, examined. 514. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Vagrancy; six months. 515. AGE.—80. 516. PERSONAL.—I understand from the Sheriff that if I can get employment I shall be released. I can do this by communicating with my old employers. I am a cook, and quite capable of doing a good day's work; but I would like to be transferred to the Old Men's Depot, and communicate with my old employers from there rather than from the gaol. No. 2662, examined. 517. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Larceny ; two years. 518. PERSONAL.—I have no suggestion to make. I would only like the Commission to inquire about a registered letter which has gone astray. It was addressed to me before I was arrested, and when I was using an assumed name. The letter is still lying unclaimed. I would like to have it sent on to the care of the Superintendent. [The commission promised to see the Superintendent about it if satisfactory identification of the witness with the addressee of the letter could be established.] No. 10496, examined. 519. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Assault with intent to rob; five years. 520. PERSONAL.—I have no general evidence to give, but I would like to mention that I have been in correspondence with the authorities with reference to my sentence, which, I understand, is heavier than is legally provided for the offence of which I was found guilty. I am awaiting a reply from the Inspector of Prisons, which appears to be unduly delayed. It is two months since I wrote the subject. No, 3443, examined. 521. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Stealing from the person, six months; unlawful possession. six months (cumulative). 522. DIET.—Confirms previous evidence. 523. PERSONAL.—I have no suggestions to offer, except on points about which I am told the Commission has already had abundant evidence. No. 3538, examined. 524. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Larceny; two months. 525. DISCIPLINE.—I complain that because I was charged with stealing a dinner in the gaol I was kept three days in the cells before being brought before the Magistrate, who discharged me. I took two lots of meat instead of one. 526. CORRESPONDENCE.—If letters addressed to the prisoners contain matter which the authorities consider unsuitable, the letters are not handed to prisoners. I do not think this is right. No. 3151, examined. 527. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Illegally on premises; 12 months. 528. GERALDTON PRISON.—I hope the Commission will inspect the arrangements at Geraldton prison. Three men are placed in a cell 7ft. x 8ft., and lie there with an offensive smelling night-tub occupying part of that limited space between them. A bucket is provided in which all three men wash. No bowls are provided. The men sleep on badly teazed coir mattresses on the concrete floor. I came down here with sciatica very badly. I have no complaints to make about Fremantle. It is perfectly heavenly after Geraldton. No. 3412, examined. 529. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Unlawful possession; 12 months. 530. REMISSIONS.—There are no intelligible rules for the information of prisoners about remissions. We do not know whether we earn them by good conduct, as a matter of right, or whether remission is an act of grace on the part of the prison authorities. 531. PERSONAL.—I have always had a good character; I have been a prospector for 4½ years. On the occasion of my offence I was desperately hard up, and, jumping on a horse, rounded up some cows which I drove off and took to a man who offered me £9 for them. He gave me a good breakfast, and after that I felt stronger and better, and, better feelings coming over me, I refused to take the money, I pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession. I am not known to the police, and have always been a strictly temperate man. I have still eight months to serve. No. 3131, examined. 531A. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—False pretences ; 18 months. 532. DIET AND SANITARY.—Confirms previous evidence. I have no further suggestions to offer. 532A. PERSONAL.—I have put down my name to see the visiting justices about my sentence. I think it was excessive. No. 2941, examined. 533. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Uttering a forged cheque ; seven months. 533A. PERSONAL.—Mine is purely a case of mistaken identity. I am not the man who uttered the cheques at all. The man who did this uttered nine other cheques in the name of the person whose signature was forged, and got away. I have been in prison before for stealing a bicycle. I then got three months, which I deserved. No. 3541, examined. 534. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Uttering; three months. 534A. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS BEFORE TRIAL.—I complain that prisoners before trial are led handcuffed through the public streets and exposed to the public gaze. This is injurious to a man's future. In my own case news was sent to my friends in England that I was seen in the streets manacled, and they have renounced me altogether. This is my first offence.
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