80. Major HARVEYasked the Home Secretary if the system of local discharge is still being practised at Princetown prison?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThis practice has been in operation at convict prisons for over 20 years without any incident having occurred on any occasion to indicate that it is open to objection. The convicts are provided with free railway tickets and almost invariably leave the vicinity at once, many of them coming to London to call at the offices of the Central Association for Aid to Discharged Convicts.
Major HARVEYIs the Home Secretary not aware that considerable anxiety is caused to the local people who live in the scattered districts around Dartmoor as a result of these local discharges, when they are not given free tickets to London or anywhere else?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI think they are all given free tickets, and I have heard of no ground for any anxiety.
Major HARVEYIf they are given free tickets, are any steps taken to ensure that they use the tickets and that they do not go to the next station and get out there?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI have heard of no instance of the kind or of any grounds of complaint.