Otago Provincial Gazette – 1862 – No. 217

Page 250

✨ Gaol Report and Staff Distribution



GAOL REPORT.

H. M.’s Gaol, Dunedin,
October 13th, 1862.

His Honor Major Richardson,
Superintendent.

I HAVE the honor to forward the Estimate of the probable requirements for this Department for the current half year, and also Returns, showing the number of Prisoners received into the Gaol during the past six months, and the number in the Gaol on the 1st instant.

The Prisoners sentenced to short terms have been employed at sundry works outside the Gaol; it is, therefore, difficult to give any correct information as to the value of their labor.

The long-sentenced men have not been put to work in consequence of there being no place for the purpose, and I did not consider it right to send them out with the other men, most of them being old offenders. On the completion of the Stockade, now erecting, this difficulty will be removed, and I would suggest the discontinuance of employing any Prisoners outside the Gaol for the future, as it is attended with danger of escape and other evils, besides depriving the Gaol of the protection of the Warders, should any attempt be made to escape by the Prisoners confined in the Gaol.

The female Prisoners have been generally employed in sewing for the Hospital and Gaol, but the want of proper accommodation often obliged them to be unemployed.

The confinement of debtors and lunatics in the Gaol with convicts, without any means of keeping them separate, is very dangerous, and I would suggest some separate accommodation be provided to remove this evil.

In consequence of the determination of the long-sentenced prisoners to break out of the Gaol, it was found absolutely necessary in May last to reorganize and increase the staff of Warders, which is now effective, but not larger than is required for the safety of the prisoners.

I herewith attach a Return, showing the distribution of the officers.

The large number of prisoners now passing through the Gaol creates a large amount of clerical labor, in keeping the necessary records respecting them. This I have to perform, and occupies my time considerably, and therefore precludes me from that close supervision which I should have in conducting the business of the Prison. I have therefore to request the appointment of an officer to perform the duties of clerk and storekeeper.

The present attendance of the Visiting Justices I find very inconvenient. I therefore request that some provision be made which will secure the attendance of a Visiting Justice one day in each week.

I regret that I am unable to carry out proper discipline, there being no means of doing so. This want the prisoners are aware of, and are therefore very insubordinate. I have therefore to suggest that immediate steps be taken for the erection of a new Gaol.

I have the honor to be
Your Honor’s most obedient servant,

J. Stoddart,
Gaoler.

DISTRIBUTION RETURN

Of Officers employed in Her Majesty’s Gaol, Dunedin.

STATIONS Chief Warder Officer of Labour Sergeant Warders Warders
Front Gate ... ... 1 1
Interior of Prison 1 ... ... ...
Airing Yards ... ... ... 2
Platform ... ... 1 ...
Guarding Labor Prisoners 1 ... ... 4
Old Gaol ... ... 1 1
Night Watch ... ... 2 3
Reserve ... ... ... 1
1 1 3 14

J. Stoddart,
Gaoler

His Honor the Superintendent.



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Online Sources for this page:

VUW Te Waharoa — PDF Otago Provincial Gazette 1862, No 217




✨ LLM interpretation of page content

⚖️ Report on Dunedin Gaol Operations and Requirements

⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement
13 October 1862
Gaol report, Prisoner labor, Staff requirements, Dunedin
  • J. Stoddart, Gaoler
  • Major Richardson, Superintendent

⚖️ Distribution of Officers in Dunedin Gaol

⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement
Staff distribution, Warders, Dunedin Gaol
  • J. Stoddart, Gaoler