HC Deb 16 July 1888 vol 328 cc1394-5
MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Under what Act of Parliament, and section, or bye-law, Rule, or Order made in pursuance of an Act of Parliament, and duly authorized, is a Prison Governor entitled to forcibly strip, and leave naked, a prisoner sentenced to a term of imprisonment with or without hard labour, in order to compel such prisoner to clothe himself in prison clothes?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

The authority referred to is Rule 28 of the Local Prison Rules, which imperatively directs that a— Convicted criminal prisoner shall be provided with a complete prison dress, and shall be required to wear it. This Rule was framed under the provision contained in Section 12 of 40 & 41 Vict., c. 49. It is also identical in terms with the similar Rule relating to English prisons, contained in Section 23 of Schedule 1 to the Prisons Act of 1865.

MR. BRUNNER

But is this treatment of a prisoner not in conflict with the Rule which provides that no violence should be used, or restraint imposed, on a prisoner without the authority of the Visiting Justices?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir; I apprehend it is not so.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

asked, why was not the Rule referred to by the right hon. Gentleman carried out in the case of Father Ryan?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

asked for Notice of the Question.