The Express. — 1863-02-20 (London, England)

PRISON DISCIPLINE.  The Earl of OAKNARVON rose to call the attention of their lordship. to the present state of discipline in gaols and houses of correction. He considered the subject one of great importance, although at first sight it might appear to be of an uninteresting character. Our criminal population might be divided into two earns. One was composed of connote who were aeLtercel to various term of imprisonment for three years and upwards ; the other consisted of those criminals who were sentenced to undergo imprisonment fur periods varying from one day to two years. He would not refer to the fira of these clones, as it was the subject of a royal commission, but would confine himself to the came of prisoners in gaol There were at present in this country 87 county gaols, 57 borough gaols, and 5 liberties', as they were called—of which latter he knew nothing, making a total of 148 pole. In some of them the old system of association was adhered to ; in others the nepenthe system was adopted ; in others, both the association and the separate systems were partially in operation. By the last official returns it appeared that there were no lass than 130,000 prisoners, in round numbers, in our polo. The average daily number was between 16,000 and 17,000, and these figures did not include summary convictions. It appeared that nearly 400.000 persons were annually proceeded apnea by summary conviction, and that from 260.000 to 280,C:3 of these persons were acquitted. The 1:!0,000 prisoners constituted the bulk of our criminal population, for the total number of canine at Dartmoor and elsewhere did not exceed 6,000. He believed that a large portion of the 130,000 were quite as criminal as the convicts who had Mw sentenced to penal servitude. It was much to be regretted that our criminal statistics were always a Tear and a half in armor. (Hear, hear.) The latest returns were for the year 1860-61, and they certainly showed an increase of crime which was very startling. During that year, as compared with the year preceding, the commitments to the various rads had increased by 13,01...) different persons, showing an increase of 13 per cent. ; the recommitments exhibited an additional number of 3,400, being a further exams of 9 per cent. over the previous year. Again. there was en increase in the elan of unfortunate pernes who are oillednimiaallunatio. amounting to 33 per sunk He leant meutioo that under nearly every heed of the offences mentioned in the returns a serious increase wee noticeable. It appeared from these returns that there was an increased 30 per cent. in cases of suicide ; of 26 in attempts at murder; of shooting with intent to maim, 32; laps, ; of assaults with intent to do bodily harm, 23 ; common assaults, 21; &multi on pens officers in the execution of their duty, 24. With regard to offences against property without violence, there was an increase of 30 par cent. ; burglary, 40 ; house-breaking, 36 ; breaking into dwelling. houses and stealing, T. 3; robbery. and attempts to rob, by persons armed, 31. Then with regard to offences against property with violence, the increase was 11 per oust. ; larceny, ; malicious offences against property, 18; forgery and coining, 16; and miscellaneous offences, 19 per cent. There was seongh in this increase of crime to account for the great alma which existed throughout the country. This increase took plan in 1860-61. There was no reason to suppose that there wee lay &Infanta°, in 1881.62, and with regard to the latter end of 1862 the Mesrmity was seek that it was not ~00e, to walk eves the sheds ("Lenders after dark. The two paints he wished toobridgmbefore their lordships were--first, that in a great many and houses of correction there was an iesafilcieucy penal discipline ; and, secondly, that there was such a variety and diversity or a) stews acid principle... that uniformity of adminietration was absolutely at an cad. Earl GRANVELLE olearyed that the subject was full at difficulty, owing to the great diversity of opinion on it. The prisons were really locally controlled. and the government had little authority over them. The dietary scale was the lowest possible to preserve the prisoners in good health, and he doubted very much whether convicts found a prison as pleasant a home as was represented. It was desirable. however, that the matter should be referred to a select committee. and if Lord °unarms would move for one there would be no opposition to the motion on the part of the government.  After • discussion, in which Lords Walmeabury, Wensleydale Woodhouse, Salisbury, and Cathcart took part, Lord earoarroo gave Doti,* that be would move for • select committee on the subject. 110KE19 OF