HC Deb 22 April 1890 vol 343 cc1076-8
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the inquiry recently conducted by Captain Wilson in Strangeways Prison, Manchester, included charges against the chaplain; and, if so, what was the result of such inquiry?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.

A complaint was made to a member of the Visiting Committee that the chaplain did not attend sufficiently to the prisoners in hospital. The Visiting Committee reported this to the Commissioners, and Captain Wilson accordingly investigated the matter, and, with the concurrence of a member of the Visiting Committee who assisted him in the inquiry, reported that the chaplain had performed his duties in the prison in a satisfactory manner, and that the information given to the contrary effect was unreliable.

MR. PICKERSGILL

May I further ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, towards the end of last year, a prisoner, who had been sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at Lincoln Assizes, was transferred, after he had completed six months of his sentence, from Lincoln to Strange ways Prison, Manchester, and after he had been there a few weeks was flogged, and shortly afterwards was sent back to Lincoln; and, if so, why was the transfer made, and for what reason was the prisoner flogged?

MR. MATTHEWS

I am informed by the Prison Commissioners that this prisoner was sentenced on July 2, 1889, to 12 months' imprisonment. He was believed to be feigning insanity, and was placed in association and watched. After a time the Governor reported that the facilities at his disposal for placing prisoners in association were too limited to allow of the constant supervision of this man. He was accordingly removed to Strange ways, the nearest prison where accommodation in association was available. While at that prison on one occasion he was exceedingly violent, and his misconduct was reported to the Visiting Committee, who, after taking evidence and hearing, as usual, the opinion of the medical officer, sentenced him to be flogged. He has since behaved well, and some time after, on his asking that he might be sent back to Lincoln, where he could more easily see his friends, his wishes were complied with.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Am I to understand that the prisoner was under observation for insanity?

MR. MATTHEWS

The plea was insanity, and the prisoner was placed under observation on that account.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Was this man forwarded to Strange ways Prison in order that he might be under observation there, being suspected of being insane?

MR. MATTHEWS

He was not suspected of being insane, but insanity was pleaded on his behalf, and, therefore, he was kept under observation.

MR. BRADLAUGH

Was there not a case in which a prisoner last year was flogged and died after being flogged who was suspected of insanity?

MR. MATTHEWS

The hon. Gentle man must give notice of the question.

MR. PICKERSGILL

I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the matter again.