§ MR. W. CORBET (Wicklow, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the fact that a number of prisoners convicted of disgraceful crimes, pickpockets, burglars, and others, have been transferred from Dublin to Wexford, and is it intended to require the Rev. Father Clarke to take exercise in the same yard and at the same time with such criminals?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURCertain prisoners convicted of larceny and other crimes have, in ordinary course, been transferred from Dublin to Wexford Prison Two of the prisoners so transferred having been convicted for the first time, one for "false pretences" and the other for "assault police," are such as the Rev. Mr. Clarke was ordered to exercise with. He has not been, and would not be, required to exercise with the prisoners convicted of larceny, who were transferred from Dublin (inasmuch as it appears they had all been convicted before), nor with any habitual criminals. As a matter of fact, the Governor reports that "the Rev. Mr. Clarke was exercised by himself on the medical officer's recommendation previous to his removal to hospital, where he now exercises alone."
§ MR. W. REDMONDDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there are different classes for exercise?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand from the answer supplied to me by the Prisons Board that there is a distinction made between persons convicted for the first time and those persons properly described as habitual criminals.
§ MR. W. REDMONDBut is it not a fact that in this prison there is only one yard, and that all prisoners are required to exercise at the same time, no matter what their class? Is it not a fact that when I was in that prison I was called upon to exercise with habi- 1391 tual criminals of every kind, to exercise, for instance, with persons guilty of garotting, and with two soldiers, who having deserted, were convicted of committing several burglaries?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman asks me whether there is only one yard. I cannot answer that without notice. He also asks whether it is the case that prisoners exercise at different times. I gather from the answer supplied me that that is the case. It appears that rev. gentlemen are exercised alone. It also appears that there is a distinction between persons convicted more than once and persons convicted for the first time.
§ MR. W. REDMONDDoes the right hon. Gentleman state definitely that different classes of prisoners are exercised at different times? Such is quite contrary to my experience.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman is a little unreasonable. I have given him all information in my power. If he desires further information and will put down a Question I will do my best to answer it.