The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-12 00:00:00

PRISON INSTRUCTION.

Sir T. TURTON, in the absence of Mr. Dennison, postponed
his motion relative to the classification and instruction of prisoners.
The Honourable Baronet observed, that, as long as the present
regulations prevailed—as long as persons were kept at hard-work
from morning till night, it was in vain to expect that they would,
after such labour, devote other hours to instruction. No man
could honestly expect so much.
. Mr. It. JACKSON thought, that if all persons under sixteen
years of age wire allowed two hours for instruction in the middle
of the day, peat good would be effected by it.
Sir T..TuRTOX—One of the rules of your prisons was, that in.
struction was to be given, and yet another regulation was to keep
the prisoners at work from morning till night. He thought the
whole of the rules and regulations linperiously demanded revision.
Mr. Teowta could not deny that there were difficulties on the
subject, but that If the matter were referred to a Committee they
might he obviated.
The t'nene of the PLACE—The 41st rule approved by the
Judges directs that instruction should he afforded to the prisoners.
The Visiting Magistrates were bound to see the rule attended to.
31r. R. JACKSON said, it would lie very desirable to afford in.
struction, but where persons were old, it was a question if they
should have labour remitted to theta during such a period. The
number of young prisoners was less than that of the old. Ile had
received a late return from the gaoler at Brixton. in which he found
that out of 44 persons. It; males and 13 females could read. Alnch
must depend on the Visiting Nlagistrates, and he must hear them
say they could not provide for this instruction before he agreed to
any Committee on this subject. Out of 170 adults committed, he
also found that 29 could read, and 70 could read and write, and the
number of committals of yang persona was, he was glad to say,
tooth less than was anticipated.
Mr. Tit T T a moved that it be recommended to the Visiting
Msgistraten to attend to the rule for the instruction of the children,
and to report thereon to this Court.
Sir l'uos. Tuexox asked Mr. Green what were the working
hoots ?
Yrom six in the morning until six at night, with the exception
of half an hour for meals, and half an hour twice a week for church.
Have you any discretion ou this subject ?
I do not think I have.
Mr. H. Suitors:a—Before we go further, I with to ask If pri.
stoners are to have schoolmasters and mistresses?
Mr. Tnowen—We should try some experiment to aid the im-
provement, particularly of juvenile offenders.
Mr. H o LIKE SUMNER—Why here are two clauses in the teeth
of each other. I remember the discussion in the Committee and we
thought labour better than reading and writing. Education pro.
perly pursued was a great blessing ; but this mere reading and
writing education only taught men to forge, and commit every spe-
cies or offence. Ile said this publicly, because he bad given the
subject great attention.
Mr. Da TIM wow n thought that coercive morality was idle In the
extreme, and he defied the history of mankind to show where peo-
ple could be punished into instruction. Moral duties could not
be incoleated.in any such manner.
Mr. H. JACKAON said, that the legislature could not be blamed,
for they had expressly' provided for the moral instruction of all pri-
soners confined In houses of correction.
s.

Mr. liaiscoe vas glad that the Hon. Member for the County
(Mr. Sumner), was friendly to the mural instruction of the people.
Ignore:ice was a fruitful source of crime, and therefore education
idcould be attended to. It was an imperative duty to see that the
Visiting Magistrates should carry into erect the objects of the legis-
lature. . . . .

Mr. H. SUMNER had no objection to the motion. The matter
was referred to the discretion of the Magistrates, and in the exer-
cise of that discretion, he had limited instruction to the Sunday.
Mr. BRISCOE wished to know if it was intended by the motion
to have instruction given on other days ?
Mr. TROTTER—Certainly.
Mr. Daussitosp--Tbe btagistrates do net think Sunday
enough.
Mr. So SITIEW—I think it is, and that work for six days is better
than this instruction.

Sir T. Ts, RTON contended that moral instruction, from day to
day, would effect the greatest possible good, even though the pri-
MIPICTS remain in the prison for a month or a week. The Visiting
Magistrates had preferred work, so said the Hon. Member; but it
would be for the Court to decide whether his discrimination was •
sound one. Let any effort be made to instruct and improve the
prisoners, and no doubt society would be mainly benefited. He
wished that the Visiting Magistrates should be requested to revise
their decision relative to the instruction of the prisoners, and to re-
port their opinion to this Court.
General THOUNTOM said, that the Act of Parliament was im-
perative on the subject.
Ih. PALMER .was extremely glad of this discussion, fur if
Ste difficulties alluded to were exitingt.,,,i; might lead to some mta-
sure for improving the Act of the hlature, and conferring a
blessing on the sontottunate. I:Le question must soon be settled es

THE I

to whether crime is to be retresed4sy oorpoeal punishment or by
mental improvement. But till that period, every Wort should be
made to instruct the prisoners in our various prisons.
The Motion of Sir T. Turton was then put and carried.
The Report of the Brixton Committee was next read g it repre-
sented the good mile and health of the prison, sad noticed, that
on last Chriatmas.day the Sacrament was administered, but that,
although 1 persons wished to take it, yet on examination
only ten persons were found qualified to do so. It also added, that
the Chaplain had been absent on eight occasions.
The Chaplain begged leave to say, that his place had been sup-
plied by a gentleman who was approved on a former occasion by
the Visiting Magistrates.
Mr. 11. Su sr:en—The Visiting Magistrates must be applied to
on every occasion.
The Chaplain said he did not consider the Act went so far, 1113
there were many occasions in which it might be impossible to con-
sult them.
SU T. 'fußTOX—These general observations are no excuse for
this noo-attenclance.
The Rev. Mr. COURTZXAT thought the Diocesan, and not
the Magistrates, had cognizance of neglect on the part of the
Chaplain.
Sir T. TURTON—The Chaplain has not voluntarily offended,
and I am sure the matter had better end here.
The Surgeon attending the Brixton Prison reported, that there
was no instance of bodily injury occurring to any one at the tread.
wheel, and that very few persons had lost weight or strength at that
labour.
At four o'clock the Grand JUry returned with several bills found
sod several ignored.
Mr. H. SUMNER—Feeling that we owe some obligation to OUT
Chairman ad interim, I think we cannot do lest than give him the
thanks of this Court, for his able conduct while discharging the
duties of that arduous situation.
The motion was seconded.
Mr. Dec DIMOND said, that connected with this subject he had
a few observations to offer. Every one knew how much of the duty
cast upon the Magistrates arose in this neighbourhood, and he
therefore wished that the Stipendiary Magistrate should confine his
labours to the Sessions, and adjournment of Sessions, held at New-
ington.
MAPEILY here rear to order. and contended that a subject
of such importance should be preceded by a notice. If discussion
ensued upon this, other business fixed for to-day must be deferred.
Mr. DRUMMOND observed, I am in the judgments of the Court,
and I shall yield to their wishes.
Sir T. TUBTON said, that Court could not, with any propriety,
enter upon such a subject without some previous notice. NVhat,
was the Chairman to be freed from all responsibility to the county ?
Mr. PALK E a (to order) contended that it was competent to any
Gentleman to bring forward a motion without this formal notice.
The proposed Resolutions could be read by his Honourable Friend
(Mr. Drummond) as part of his speech, whatever the practice might
be elsewhere.
Mr. TROTTER was clearly of opinion that Gentlemen who had
given notices of motion should have the precedence.
Sir T. TURTOW—I think it very unfair that gentlemen who
have already given notices upon a fixed subject should be not
heard first, and be jockeyed out of them, as they might be, if this
practice were allowed.
31r. 11. Su sr xen —Matters of order should give way to matters
of exigence. Our Chairman has told us, that though lie has at-
tended to day, he cannot pledge himself to attend another day, and
therefore the emergency pressed so much as to call for a dispenss.
tion of the usual rules of the Court. If something were not done,
it must go over for another year.
Mr. Ill•aeaLT—lf the matter presses, I have no objection to
deter my motion ; but I insist that, as to the point of order, I am
cm rect.
Mr. Teosera said, that whatever might be yielded to courtesy,
those who had given notices had a right of priority.
Mr. Bniscoe.—l wish to consult the convenience of the Court,
and shall yield to their wishes.
Mr. Daum 310 ND then proceeded to move a series of Resolu-
tions, declaring the necessity of appointing a practising Barrister,
of ten years standing, to the situation of Chairman—that his salary
be 8001. a-year—that his nomination be in the Magistrates of the
County, and that he only hold his situation van diet pent at
gessetil.
Sir T. TURTOW gave notice that he would on every occasion op-
pose a measure, which would in effect tend to the disgrace of the
county. He could not approve of any one of these Resolutions.
Mr. TaowEi rose to order. The Honourable Baronet has no
right to enter into the discussion of the question.
Sir T. TURTON— I have a right, and I will exercise it too.
Mr. H. Susorta—l do not wish to enter into the discussion of
the good or evil of the proposal.
Sir T. To/TON—Then, why did you begin it?
Mr. 11. Stilt Nl:lt—Let the resolution stand merely as a notice to
be communicated to the Magistrates, and discussed on some fixed
daklr. Deusexoxo assented, and the Resolutions were directed to
be sent round to the different Magistrates as a notice.