§ MR. BOURKEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether facilities are afforded to the Governor of Brixton Military Prison for providing the prisoners under his charge with work in their cells at their respective trades, or in occupations other than picking oakum; how many hours a-day a prisoner is alone in his cell, and what occupation is provided for him during those hours; and, whether the solitary confinement carried out under existing arrangements has been frequently observed to conduce to the injury of the mental and physical condition of the prisoners?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTsaid, as that was a military Question, his hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the War Office would reply to it.
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERSir, I have referred this question to Sir Edmund Ducane, the Surveyor General of Prisons, and he reports as follows:— 112 Brixton Prison is now a military prison; but the rules are substantially the same as those of all civil prisons, and the treatment of prisoners the same. The majority of the prisoners are employed at oakum-picking, and, according to the regulations, at shot drill. Others are employed in various works about the prison, and in tailoring and repairing shoes. The prisoners who are employed in their cells are there at all times, except during chapel, exercise, or shot drill, according to the practice of all the civil prisons. No report has been made, to Sir Edmund Ducane's knowledge, of any injury to the mental or physical condition of the prisoners.
§ MR. BOURKEWill the hon. Baronet make an inquiry whether any employment can be found?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERYes, Sir; I will communicate with the Director General of Clothing, and ascertain whether any other industrial employment can be found for those of the prisoners who are eligible for it.