HL Deb 08 July 1811 vol 20 cc846-7
Lord Holland,

adverted to the Report of the Committee respecting the case of an individual who died some time since in the Marshal, sea prison, and observed, that in his opinion the evidence bore out the verdict of the coroner's jury. He did not mean in this case to throw blame on any person, in particular, and understanding that a new prison was in forwardness, under the direction of the lord Steward, he had refrained from calling their lordships' attention to the subject. He must, however, be allowed to mention two or three circumstances respecting the management of the prison; the hardships arising from which to the poor prisoner, would, he trusted, be corrected. In the first place, the prison was altogether insufficient for the proper accommodation of the prisoners; in the next place, 14 days must elapse before the poor prisoner who was unable to support himself, could go through the necessary forms to obtain sustenance from the prison; and lastly, the prisoners of this description were not allowed a certain ration of food, but a certain quantity, and no more, "vas allowed for the whole, and if the number was large, the individuals could obtain but a scanty supply. If these grievances were not remedied he should feel it his duly to bring the subject before their lordships.