§ 97. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state his reasons for refusing to approve the sentence of birching on prisoners in Exeter prison.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIn deciding whether to confirm an award of corporal punishment for a prison offence, I have to consider such matters as first the circumstances and seriousness of the offence; second, the prevailing state of order and discipline in the prison concerned; third, the medical and mental history of the prisoner and his record in prison; and fourth, the adequacy of available alternative penalties. On consideration of all the factors involved in the cases at Exeter Prison, I concluded that the alternative punishments suggested by the Visiting Committee were more appropriate than corporal punishment.