§ MR. ASCROFTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Joseph Wilson, aged 18, of Failsworth, who, on the 23rd of February, 1898, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour, and committed to the Strangeways Prison, Manchester, and, on his complaining that he was ill and unable to work, was reported to the Governor, and, on the medical officer stating he was shamming, was confined for three days in the punishment cell, with a diet of bread and water; and on the 24th March was removed to the prison hospital suffering from enteric fever, contracted within the prison, from which he subsequently died: Whether at the inquest any evidence was given as to the punishment he had suffered for complaining of illness; and whether the relatives had the opportunity of being present at same: and whether any compensation can be made to the father, who was, to a great extent, dependent on his son's earnings.
§ * THE HOME SECRETARY (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY)My attention was drawn to this case last year, when I received a report from the Prison Commissioners and a transcript of the evidence taken at the inquest. It is not the case that the prisoner complained that he was ill and unable to work, that the medical officer stated that he was shamming, or that he was confined for three days in the punishment cell. The prisoner was in good health on admission to the prison on the 23rd of February, but on account of his age was put to light labour only, namely, picking cotton. He was reported for idleness on the 15th March, and was passed as fit for the punishment imposed, i.e. one day's confinement in his own cell, with bread and water. Nine days afterwards, on the 24th of March, the prisoner, who looked ill, was admitted to the hospital, and on the 27th of March the symptoms of enteric fever showed themselves. These facts were given in evidence at the inquest at which the prisoner's relatives were present. It is 353 by no means proved that the disease was contracted in the prison: evidence was given that the drains and water were all in perfect order, and no other case occurred. The medical inspector came to the conclusion that the disease was not contracted in prison, but that it had been incubating from a date very shortly prior to the sentence. The circumstances would not justify the grant of any compensation as suggested in the last paragraph.