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Convict Conditions
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 1898. [AT FREMANTLE GAOL.] Present: Dr. ADAN JAMESON, Chairman. Mr. F. Craig, Mr. E. W. Mayhew, Mr. M. L. Moss, and the Secretary. No. 3026, further examined. 137. MEDICAL.—I complain that when a man is really unfit to work he has to work unless he has previously seen the doctor; also that the doctor does not always knock a man of work whom he has examined, even if he is ill. I have suffered from pains in the arms and muscles and have had to work at the pump. I am not satisfied with the medical treatment I have received. 137A. After I had been about three and half months in the prison, I caught "crabs." Other prisoners did the same. After that the water closets were kerosened, as sanitary precaution. I complain that prisoners who are obviously unfit for work trough physical disablement are compelled to take their place with the rest, unless they have previously seen the doctor, and the doctor does not always take a man off who is really unfit to work, as I have been, owing to muscular pains in the arms. At the present time I have something breaking out on my arms now which is troublesome. [Witness on examination appeared to be suffering from psoriasis.] 138. PETITION.—I have asked the Superintendent to be allowed to petition. Was refused, for no intelligible reason, except that the Superintendent seemed to think that it would be no use, and that Mr.Fairbairn would see the petition. 139. WASTE FOOD.—There is necessarily an immense amount of waste food. I do not know what is done with it. In other prisons a piggery is kept, and the profits go to the improvement of the library which, in the case of Fremantle, badly wants it. 140. LIBRARY.—I have never seen any religious books issued here. The chaplain never goes round to see what books the prisoners want. I am a Wesleyan. 141. VISITING JUSTICES.—The visiting justices never go round to see the prisoners to ascertain if they have any grounds of complaint. The prisoner must first send in the grounds of his wish to see the justices through Superintendent, which is objectionable. No. 10522, examined. 142. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—False pretences; five years penal servitude. 143. REMISSION.—As the result of a petition in December last my sentence was reduced from five years to two. I understood that off the two years would come any remissions earned by good conduct, because in effect under the regulations, the old sentence of five years is cancelled and the new one substituted. I think the Superintendent, from what he at first said, thought that too, but subsequently he said my case differed from others, inasmuch as I should be discharged at the end two years, conditionally on good conduct. The point of my petition for a more lenient sentence was that I had got five years, which I was advised was an illegal and excessive sentence under the circumstances. I cannot see that I have received any real concession, because with good conduct remissions I should, in any case, not have had much more that amount of the new sentence to serve. [Commissioners pointed out that in the latter case there would only be a discharge on ticket-of-leave.] I am driving the engine, which is work entitling me to special remission, if I am entitled to any at all. 144. HARDSHIPS OF DISCHARGED PRISONERS.—On discharge, after a previous sentence from this gaol, I was perfectly destitute. I had no money; nothing but regulation suit. Two days I was without food, and my clothes looked shabby from neglect and exposure. I thought, with a decent suit, I could get food and work, and I committed the offence of which I was found guilty to get new suit. I doubt if the judge who tried me would have given me five years if he had not been told what was perfectly true, that I had only been out of gaol a few days. It looked bad, but what was I to do? 145. TREATMENT OF PRISONERS.—I have no complains to make, and no suggestions to offer. No. 2725, examined. 146. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.-—Larceny; six months. 147. AGE.— 21. 148. PERSONAL.—This is my third offence. I came from South Australia last December twelve months. I have been punished for absconding. 149. PUNISHMENT.—I was released last Friday from the refractory cells. I complain of the defective sanitary arrangements and bad ventilation of the light cells. Up till the time the Commission came here we had nothing with which to cover the pail. Since than a piece of rug has been thrown in for that purpose, and the Superintendent has given orders that if I knock, the pot in the cell may be emptied when required. The first day in the refractory cells I got no exercise at all. The next day I had one hour. That was the only hour I got for ten days. I spoke to the warder about it, and he said that the time we took for eating, shaving, and washing had to be deducted from the hour. I mentioned the matter to the Superintendent, and he had the matter put right. I was entitled to an hour's exercise under the refractory rules. I would like to say in fairness to the officers, that after I complained, the Superintendent ordered me to have two hours exercise next day. 150. BEDDING.—Since the Commission has been here the bedding has in some cases been changed, but I would like the Commission to see the bedding that I have at present time. I cannot described it. [Bedding examined.] 151. DISCHARGE.—A man coming in on Monday with a seven days' sentence, goes out on the following Monday. Now there are not two Mondays in a week. I think, following the rule in other colonies, the prisoner should go out on the Saturday. 152. CLOTHING OF SHORT SENTENCE MEN.—This is not properly looked after. When discharged, I found my clothing rolled up in tight ball. It had never been aired. A man is under a disadvantage who goes out with a coat like concertina. It takes a fortnight to get it straight and remove prison appearance from it. 153. LOSS OF PERSONAL EFFECTS.—Whilst serving a previous sentence, a visitor called who told me he had brought me some clothes, including a new pair of boots. I had given him an order enabling him to get the money to pay for them. I was told, on inquiry, that the things never came, at least there were some clothes, but no boots. At first I felt doubtful if the boots had really come, but on leaving the gaol I made inquiries, and found that my friend had really bought the boots and brought them to the gaol in company with two men who were able to prove this. Besides this, I was told before I left by some of the officers that my things had been claimed by someone else of similar name. I do not now believe that they were ever so claimed, but I believe the Superintendent purposely kept them from me, because he did not liked me. Unless a man will turn informer and act as a sort of warder he is not liked here by authorities. I do not consider it part of my duty to inform on my fellow prisoners, or to do the duty of the warders. 154. REMISSION.—Remissions are knocked off for a report to the magistrate or visiting justice, even if no punishment follows the report, which may be treated by the justice as frivolous. 155. DIET.—This has greatly improved since the appointment of the Commission. The dietary scale in the refractory cells is insufficient. 156. DARK CELLS.—Very cold, even in summer. The ventilation is always bad. The atmosphere is moist and unhealthy. 157. ABSCONDING.—When I absconded, I hurt my back severely in jumping over a fence. A warder was firing at me (I don't know whether he meant to hit me or no), and it was matter of life and death. In the dark cells I felt the effects severely, and asked for a mattress to lie on, as the floors were damp. This was refused by the doctor. I asked them, then, to refrain from oiling the floors. This was complied with, but meanwhile, I had contracted a severe cold. I sent for the doctor. He saw I was not malingering, and cured me. 158.HOLIDAYS.—Prisoners are allowed only two holidays in the year—Christmas Day and Good Friday. I throw this point out for the consideration of the Commission, if they think the holiday allowance insufficient. No. 1840, examined. 159. AGE.—31. 160. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Larceny; six months. 161. DIET.—My chief complaint about the diet is the difficulty of obtaining any change. I told the doctor I wanted change; I had been here 16 months. He only said there were men who had been here 16 years who wanted the same thing. My teeth are bad. I wanted stews. We get no vegetables except potatoes. 162. VISITORS.—From 12 till 1 o'clock visitors are allowed; a certain time being allowed—20 minutes for each; but if the whole time is monopolised by a few the others have to go away. In other prisons the visiting hours are from 10 till 4. 163. PRISON CLOTHING.—Some men are accustomed to wear drawers, but, except for underground work, or if a man is over a certain age, it is difficult to get them allowed. No. 10507, examined. 164. AGE.—22. 165. OFFENCE AND SENTENCE.—Larceny; five years. 166. PERSONAL.—Born in Belfast; three years in Western Australia. Came here from the old country. Was a sailor. Charged with broaching cargo on a former occasion.
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