'Strict silence' observed by prisoners in old Nenagh Gaol
The following is a report of an official inspection on the old Nenagh Gaol as gleaned from a report from the archives of the Nenagh Guardian issue of December 28 1872 - 140 years ago this month.
Our report from that issues stages:
In a late number we mentioned that the Hon. Mr Bourke visited the Nenagh Gaol for inspection, and that he declared himself satisfied with the result of a minute examination. At the same time he mentioned that he would send his report on his return from Dublin. We now insert the report in full. It is a document of which the gaol officials, from the Governor down to the gaol keepers, may feel proud: -
“On my inspection of this prison to-day, I was pleased to observe the usual amount of cleanliness, order, and regularity that is so creditable to the officers concerned in the management of this prison, and which has so frequently been commented on by the Inspector’s General. The Governor and his Deputy appear to pay every attention to their several duties, and to carry out discipline, both amongst the prisoners and the subordinate staff, so much so that notwithstanding the very faulty construction, and numerous defects of the building, I consider a fair amount of separate confinement and strict silence is observed amongst the prisoners.
“Having questioned all those in custody, I received no complaint from any regarding their treatment here. The dietary, samples of which I saw, appears excellent, and is generally so reported on by the chaplains, who I was pleased to find now inspected by alternate weeks, according to the requirements of the statute.
“The prisoners clothing was good, warm, and in sound repair, and I was glad to find that so much advantage is taken of prisoners labour, in the manufacture of the several articles for the use of the gaol.
“Though not many prisoners are sent to hospital, and though proper arrangements are made for the safe custody of prisoners who are sent there, I would recommend that the present male hospital be used for the females, as the Matron sleeps in this block, and the present female hospital should be kept for the male prisoners.
“There is no gas in the cells of the female prisoners, but it is certainly hard to expect the Boards of Superintendents to spend money in Gaols pending the long talked of alteration in our prison laws. But it is not likely that Assizes can ever be removed from this town, it will always require a certain amount of gaol accommodation. I therefore consider the Board should put up gas in some of the female cells. If this suggestion be adopted, care should be taken not to place the burners nearly so high in the wall, as those in the male cells, which I consider are dangerous, afford such easy means to a prisoner, so inclined to commit suicide.
“The books and the Registries are very carefully and correctly kept by the Chief Warder, and the Governor appears to pay as much attention to the Supervision of this portion of his duties as he does to the others connected with the prison.
“The Stores appear to be kept with much care and order, and all prisoners’ cloting are fumigated, put away, and properly labelled. I reserve further remarks for my general report.” – Charles F. Bourke, Inspector General, December 16th, 1872.