§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the attention of the Government has been directed to the observations of the Chief Baron at the late assizes at Naas, and to his refusal to sentence women to imprisonment, except for crimes of violence, because they will have to pass many nights lying on a deal board, or plank bed, as it is called; whether this regulation of lying on a deal board is not a novelty introduced from England for the first time into Irish prisons; whether the Government is not aware that it has excited wide spread dissatisfaction amongst those who have to administer the Law in Ireland, and has been publicly characterized by Mr. Baron Dowse as a form of torture; and, whether the Government will forthwith revert to the use of beds or hammocks in Irish prisons?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON) (for Mr. J. LOWTHER)I have seen the remarks of the Chief Baron. I am unable to state since what time plank beds have been in use in the Irish prisons, but they have been used in many English prisons for a great number of years. The Irish prison rules have established a uniformity of practice in this respect. A great deal of misconception exists as to this particular incident of the sentence, and there appears to be some exaggeration in some of the statements that have been made. An adequate supply of bedding is invariably furnished to each prisoner, and under no circumstances is a prisoner obliged to sleep in his clothes. The working of the rule will be watched in the closest possible way, and I hope it will be found to be worked with consideration, and without any unnecessary harshness.
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYThe reply of the right hon. and learned Gentleman is no answer to my Question. I shall repeat it to-morrow, in some form or other; and shall, before the Session ends, endeavour to get a vote of the House on the subject.