HC Deb 10 July 1879 vol 248 cc17-8
MR. GRAY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether, considering the verdict of the jury in the case of Patrick Grimes, who died in Armagh Gaol on the 13th ult. that, though the treatment of the deceased in prison was humane and proper, Yet the new scale of diet and attendance to sick in hospital which has deprived prisoners of the new milk diet, and substituted a food not sufficient for the support of life, they highly condemn, and, considering that this declaration was based on the evidence of Dr. Palmer, surgeon to the gaol, that the withdrawal of the new milk diet was a serious loss to the prisoners, and that The new scale of diet adopted by the prison board is not sufficient for any ordinary man, is it intended to make any change in the dietary in Armagh Gaol and other prisons in Ireland where a similar scale is now enforced?

MR. J. LOWTHER

The scale of diet in force in gaols in Ireland is the same as that which was, after full inquiry before a Commission, adopted for English prisons. With reference to the particular case alluded to, was astonished to find—and the House will be very much surprised to hear—that upon the Coroner's Jury there were impan- nelled six convicted prisoners actually undergoing their sentences in Armagh Gaol at the time. It is, therefore, scarcely to be wondered at that these persons availed themselves of the opportunity of making suggestions upon a subject in which they had so strong a personal interest. The attention of the parties responsible for the constitution of the Jury will be called to the impropriety of the course adopted in impan-nelling prisoners upon it, especially as, in addition to the manifest disadvantages attaching to such a proceeding, it happens to be in direct opposition to the express terms of an Act of Parliament; and measures will, therefore, be taken to prevent its recurrence.

MR. CALLAN

Sir, may ask the Chief Secretary, whether his attention has been called to the evidence of a medical witness at that inquest?

MR. J. LOWTHER

NO, Sir; my attention has not been called to that.

MR. CALLAN

Then beg to give Notice that to-morrow I will ask a Question in reference to that subject.