§ Mr. McENTEEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of ex-Officer A. Honey, late of Wandsworth Prison; on what grounds was he dismissed; was he shown the papers or evidence against him in accordance with the regulation; who gave the information which led to his dismissal and was it supported by other evidence; and on what grounds was Mr. Honey not tried by a civil court?
§ Sir J. GILMOUROfficer Honey was dismissed in August last for being in unauthorised communication with a friend of a prisoner, and for receiving money from this person. Letters addressed to the officer were received at the prison, and there is no room for doubt that they duly reached him. Two of the letters in question were read out to officer Honey at the inquiry, and the writer gave evidence in his presence. It would not be in the public interest that I should state the source of the information that led to disciplinary proceedings. The usual method of dealing with an alleged offence by a prison officer is by a disciplinary inquiry, and a criminal prosecution is generally reserved for cases where this course is considered necessary in the public interest.