40 APPENDIX TO TWENTY-FIFTH REPORT OF NOBTH DlSTIUCT.
County of Cavan Gaol, at Cavan.
Lunatics.
Board of Superin¬ tendence.
Lunatics.
Nothing can tend more to interrupt all sound system of prison discipline, than the diffi¬ culties attending the management of this distressing class of prison inmates; however I found these wretched creatures remarkably well clad, and every attention paid to them that humanity could dictate.
Board of Superintendence.
George M.
Knipe, esq.
Robert Burrowes, esq.
Samuel Moore, esq.
Heni-y T.
Kilbee, esq.
General observations*
Bridewells
County of Donegal Gaol, atlAjford.
Visited Jan.
6,1847.
Lord Farnham.
The Lord BiJiop of Kilmore.
Hon.
Somerset R.
Maxwell.
Colonel Saunderson.
William Humphrys, esq.
John Vernon, esq.
John Baker, esq.
John Thompson, esq.
The Board meet every first Tuesday in each month, and at all other times when necessary.
General Observations.
Notwithstanding the very excellent order in which, as I have already stated, I found this gaol, yet there are some matters which came under my notice, and upon which I feci it my duty to comment.
In the first instance, no proper arrangements have hitherto boon made for tho reception of prisoners when first entering tho gaol; for which purpose, I would re¬ commend that a portion of the prison at tho entrance gate should be fitted up as reception wards, with a warm bath attached, where all male prisoners upon coming into gnol should be inspected, washed, prison clothing placed upon them, and their own clothes, after having first been stoved, placed in store.
I have called the attention of the local authorities to the state of the laundry, which is much too confined and unfitted for its purposes, and have pointed out a most convenient place to put one, attached to which a bath can be placed for the use of females; the want of such rather surprises me in an establishment where so much has been done to afford accommodation.
Notwithstanding the very limited space of ground upon which tho prison stands, an addition has lately been made to the female prison, which is now occupied.
The cells have been made unnecessarily large—each containing nearly 1,000 cubic feet, whilst in the model prison at Pentonvillc, tho cells on which the modern system is fully carried on, contain about 800 cubic feet.
The male hospital is, as I have before stated, in the body and at tho top of the prison, and has neither bath nor yard.
I strongly recommend that a new hospital should be erected for males and females, detached from tho gaol, in a yard which I pointed out to Doctor Roe, the very efficient physician, (who, with the Local Inspector and Governor, accompanied me all over the prison.)
a situation where one could very conveniently bo erected, with communications from the male and female portions of tho gaol, but so circumstanced as to prevent any intercourse of sexes.
These few observations I beg to throw out to the Grand Jury and Board of Superintendence, convinced that when they materially weigh tho many benefits which will result from the improvements I have suggested, tho same spirit which dictated their late alterations and additions, will urge them forward in the good work, thereby affording full scope to the energies of the Local Inspector and Governor, in promoting a sound system of reformatory discipline in every department.
Bridewells.
Ballyconnell, Bailieborongh, and Cootehill, all of which I have visited, and found them in excellent order, their books and accounts regular and well kept.
Edward Cottingiiam, Inspector-General.
County of Donegal Gaol, at Lifford.
I inspected this gaol on the 6th January, 1847, and found it extremely clean, and as far as in the power of the Governor and Local Inspector lay, in good order; but I was rather surprised that in a prison otherwise so creditably managed, tho prisoners, except in a few instances, were not supplied with prison clothing; however, I have hopes that these defects will soon be rectified, having placed in the Local Inspector's hands the opinion of the law advisers of the Crown upon this very important subject.
I would most strongly urge upon the local authorities the absolute necessity of at once appointing an assistant to the Matron, for it is quite obvious, that one person, however highly gifted, and zealous in tho discharge of her duties, cannot attend to all classes—laundry, schools, and lunatics.
For the latter there should be a female officer, whoso sole duty would bo to attend to them as long as they arc con¬ tinued fitting objects for imprisonment in gaols; all well conducted gaols have such for males and females.
She should have an assistant for other purposes of prison management, so as to enable her to pay proper attention to schools and general instruction in works.
There is also a want in this gaol of a proper system of instruction in useful trades, such as tailoring and shoemaking, &c.;
if such was tho case, the expense of supplying all poor prisoners with clothing (which it is the bounden duty of the local authorities to do) would bo greatly reduced, and by degrees habits of industry, with all their advantages, instilled into the minds of the hitherto ignorant and unhappy inmates of a prison.
Having witnessed, through a long and close inspection of this gaol, many things which evince the anxious solicitude and watchful attention of the Local Inspector and Governor to have the establishment upon a sound and proper system, I do urge upon those who have the power, to place at their disposal the means whereby to produce these good and salutary results.
The prisoners are not clothed in prison
