§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked what are the terms of solitary confinement served under existing regulations by various classes of prisoners; and whether he proposes to make any changes in this matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere has not for many years been solitary confinement in the proper sense of the term, except for very short periods as a punishment for graver prison offences. Separate confinement (that is, separation from other prisoners except during daily exercise and chapel) has formed a part of the severer sentences, the periods being:—For hard labour prisoners, one month; for convicts of good character, three months; for convicts not previously of good character, six months; and, in the case of recidivists, nine months. The whole question is now under consideration.