( 9 )
General.
16. During 1907-1908 the question of the most fitting places for
the detention of supposed European lunatics while under observation
was considered and disposed of by Government.
In 1908 the question of detaining, under observation native lunatics
at the District Hospital, Muzaffarnagar, instead of at the jail was raised.
Under standing orders such persons are detained in jails, but it was
urged that at Muzaffarnagar there was no special accommodation for
supposed lunatics and it was objectionable to confine them along side
condemned prisoners. After a full consideration of the matter Govern-
ment decided to construct two cells outside the jail.
In 1905 the question of the treatment of recovered criminal lunatics
was raised, and it was considered whether a scheme could be devised
which would provide for their accommodation apart from lunatics
and criminals and at the same time provide facilities for gradually
giving them a certain amount of probationary freedom and so test their
fitness for eventual release. The matter was dealt with in paragraph 6
of my last triennial report. The question was raised again in the jail
administration report for the year 1907. The number of recovered
criminal lunatics in the provinces is small, 21 being about the maximum.
It is proposed to provide for them at the Agra Central Asylum where
special arrangements can be. made for their reception. They will have
to be cut off from the asylum proper by a separate enclosure and
separate entrance. The probable cost of accommodation is estimated
at Rs. 25,000 and an annual expenditure of Rs. 576 will be required for
the extra establishment.
The ward at Agra for criminal female lunatics has been tempora-
rily set aside for the European lunatics pending the erection of the
central European asylum. The consequence is that criminal female
lunatics have had to be accommodated with non-criminal female lunatics
which is undesirable, and as some time must still elapse before the new
central asylum for Europeans will be completed the question of separating
the criminal from the non-criminal patients was considered in 1907-08.
The erection of a wall will afford necessary separation of the classes.
When the European male patients are removed to a section which will
shortly be cut off from the criminal male asylum, the female section
which they now occupy will be available for the female criminal patients.
The partition wall in the criminal male compound will be shortly
completed.
Inspections.
17. I visited the Bareilly asylum in April 1906, April 1907 and
July 1908. I found all in good order and the inmates happy and well
cared for. The Benares asylum was inspected in February and August
1906, March 1907 and August 1908. I found everything very clean and
tidy and in excellent order. The Agra asylum was visited in July
1906, April and July 1907 and January and July 1908. The inmates
were all well cared for. The grounds are now in much better order and
in a few more years when the young trees, hedges and shrubs grow up
the place will look less like a jail and be more in accordance with
modern ideas.
Conclusion.
All the institutions have been very well managed and I am
pleased to be able to record my appreciation of the good work done by
the Superintendents. When Lieutenant-Colonel Sweeny retires in
March the department will lose the services of a keen, zealous and able
officer. I take this opportunity to record my high appreciation of his
labours in the cause of insanity. I have always found the lunatics
at Benares very clean and well cared for.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
R. D. MURRAY, COLONEL M.B., I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
United Provinces.