§ MR. CALLANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to a complaint made at the Mansion House, on Wednesday July 30th, of certain proceedings on the previous day, of the Governor of Newgate, by a prisoner under remand, of the name of Ambrose Fortescue, when the Lord Mayor said—" He had no power in the matter—that the complaint should be addressed to the Home Secretary;" whether it is true, that, on Tuesday July 29th, the Governor 65 of Newgate wished to take the portrait of a prisoner under remand, who refused to have it taken on the grounds that he had not been convicted of any crime, despite which refusal the Governor called to the warders, and the prisoner was seized and forcibly held while he was photographed; and, whether he can state if it is the usual practice to photograph prisoners not convicted of any crime—nor even committed for trial; and, if so, under what authority, and by the provisions of what statute, the Governor of Newgate is empowered so to act?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, in the case in question the Governor of Newgate acted entirely against his instructions and without any authority. It had been decided that in the case of an unconvicted prisoner photographing was not to take place, and instructions had been given to the officials to that effect. The Prisons Commissioners have investigated this case, and entirely disapprove of the Governor's action in the matter.