EXTRAORDINARY REVELATION BY A GAOL WARDER.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2339, 15 September 1880, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY REVELATION BY A GAOL WARDER.

We learn from the “Nelson Mail’ that David Atkinson, the ex-warder, has been examined at the Nelson Gao! inquiry in reference to the alleged illtreatment of a prisoner. In the course of his examination ho said, in reply to 'the prisoner Thompson—l was on duty on .March 1 last, the night you were handcuffed. You made some noise after you had been locked up, which is unusual when a man is in solitary conlinement. I have never seen you violent since. I have always found you a quiet man. Your legs were fastened with a rope, not with iron ; your legs were not crossed. Constable Withers said “ Don’t pull that rope so tight.” Sergeant Nash rebuked Withers for intering with him whilst] he was tying you. He then drew the rope until the ankles and wrists were touching. When we left the cell the last time Sergeant Nash made the remark “He will be all right till morning,” or something to that effect. Constable Withers put the gagin your mouth. I do not know who rolled the rag round the gag; I believe it was Sergeant Nash. If Sergeant Nash had not rolled the. rag round the wood it was the intention to gag you with the bare wood. The reason the rag was rolled round was to prevent you from being heard. I do not know if it was the gaoler who suggested the gagging. I have been used to hearing a noise in the “dummy,” consequently I did not pay much attention. It is a common occurrence to hear a row in this gaol. You were shaking the door. There wen? three other prisoners in solitary confinement the same night as yourself. They were all close together,one swearing at the other; in fact, they were making a great row. You shook the door tremendously. The practice now in this gaol is to give a man a sleeping draught whilst in solitary confinement. They arc not treated like human beings at all, not to my idea. I heard some of the prisoners call out for the officers to come to your assistance. I then went into the cell and removed the gag. I also loosed the rope. Previous to this Mr Sharcrass gave me instructions to release you as soon as you wore quiet. I asked the gaoler if 1 should remain at Thompson’s cell. He replied I could go to my room and as soon as I hoard him quiet to go to his cell and ask him if he would give in. The reason I asked the gaoler this question was because I could sec you were in extreme sulfer'ng. You were in a terrible state at the time I released you ; we could hardly understand you asking for water. You wore bathed with perspiration. After taking the gag out of your mouth I loosed your legs from your wrisls. I ran as fast as I could down stairs, and procured a pannikin of water. You drank with groat eagerness, and directly you t swallowed (he water you vomited it up again. I then with much difliculty'-, took oil: the rope which was bound round your legs, and also took off the handcuffs. The gaoler told me to be quick and take them off when he saw you vomiting. Your wrists were in a fearful state ; there was a deep indentation where the handcuffs were, and your ankles were very much swollen ; in fact you were nearly dead. If they had been on two minutes longer I believe you would have died : you were terribly exhausted. You had been in this position for three-quarters of an hour. I came to visit you before 1 finally went to bed. You were in a helpless state. If you had fallen over on your face you were bound to have been smothered : you could not straighten yourself. I asked you if you felt all right and you replied the cramp was very bad. In fact, 1 did not expect to see you alive next morning. I and Warder Bourke came into your cell the second morning alter you had been ironed I then found you in the same position as I left you. I passed the remark that you were in the same position as you were the night before. The blankets were not used. I do not remember if you were in the same position as when I had left you the night before. I asked jou on one or two occassions why you could not eat your bread. You made some remarks about your mouth being sore. I have noticed you frequently putting your hands and feet under the tap. In fact I passed the remark to Warden Bourke that you wore not lit to bo at work. I thought you

were not in your proper mind. I have known you since you were first committed for trial. When you were in the Wanganui gaol yon were put in solitary conlinement, and afterwards brought before the doctors, who pronounced you insane. Directly you came out of solitary conlinement you showed symtoins of insanity. You were put in solitary conlinement for refusing- to work. I have never known a policeman or warder to gag anyone in their charge. The gaoler did not interfere with the prisoner Price when he was making a noise. I think it was the last time he was in solitary conlinement the gaoler sent for a sleeping draught for him. which was administered, after which he fell asleep, and we did not hear any more noise (ill morning ; he was quiet when it was given to him. I have never known any other prisoners to be cruelly treated ; they have been treated cruelly indirect!}* through the wardsmen. I have known water to be thrown into a prisoners dark cell, and (ho light thrown upon him suddenly. I have known a prisoner sentenced to i-8 hours' confinement in the dark cell kept there 50 hours, and also prisoners to have been detained beyond their term. I have heard the penal clauses of the prison regulations read over by Warder White outside the dark cell for the purpose of annoying and irritating the prisoner within. A man in solitary conlinement is not permitted to wash himself till the fourth day ; a man sentenced to Id days’ solitary conlinement has to keep the same clothes on all the Lime.