12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE Rev^ a thousand pounds for the half year ?— I have been making inquiry into that cir- P. R. Gamble, cumstance, and I cannot ascertain that such is the fact; I recollect that Richmond v ^ J bridewell was furnished in that year, so that I rather think that statement has been ( 9 May) made, with inference to other articles as well as blankets, because there was the furnishing of a new prison, ( the largest prison in Dublin) in toto in one year. Is there any better description of clothing given to the prisoners?— Yes, to the convicts under the letter, that I showed the Committee from government. At whose expense is that clothing provided ?— It was always at the city's expense until now. Does that expense cease now entirely ?— It does by the effect of the last prison Act. It falls upon government now ?— It does. Are the clothes, when received, compared with the patterns ?— They are uniformly compared. Are all other articles also compared with the patterns ?— They are ; I have put in a document to that effect. What does the convicts clothing consist of?— Jacket, waistcoat, trowsers, and two shirts, two pair of stockings and pair of shoes, a cap, handkerchief, and small bag. When the articles are not equal to the pattern contracted for, what is the con- sequence ?— They are sent back; either sent back or not paid for. Why should the clothing in Newgate be better than the clothing at bridewell ?— The clothing at Newgate is for the convicts alone; it is only from Newgate that con- victs go ; the clothing for bridewell would answer of an inferior quality for a very obvious reason, that the bridewell is a prison where there is no ingress and egress, no person is allowed to visit prisoners, on any account, except as a reward for good behaviour ; the prisoners at bridewell are employed also ; the prisoners at Newgate have no means of employment; and there is so much egress and ingress in con- sequence of the visitors going to see prisoners not tried, that the same kind of clothes would not last. By whom are the convicts clothed ?— The letter from government comes to the sheriff, and he hands the letter to me, which is a direction to me to provide the clothes for the convicts out of the stock the grand jury have laid in. Who was your last contractor?— I think his name was Christopher Graham. It would seem, that people that are in constant employment, would require a stronger description of clothing than people that only receive visits ?— That would have some reference to the mode of occupation ; but the occupation in Richmond bridewell, being weaving and shoemaking only, does not require a strong suit of clothing; the clothing provided is found to last very well; I am aware, from ex- perience, that there never existed a complaint in the gaol of Newgate of want of clothing, nor that the prisoners ever were in a state of nudity until the Act for clothing them passed. When did that Act pass?— I think in the 50th of the late King, that enables the prisoners to get a certain quantity of clothes, but it was not acted on; the prisoners did not then know their rights. When did they first know their rights?— I could not state the exact time; but I could state a circumstance which would bring it to my recollection; the committee of a sessions grand jury, visited the gaol of Newgate, and found some of the prisoners in a state of nakedness; those gentlemen spoke to the prisoners, and told them that they were entitled to clothes. When was that?— I think about four years ago. Do you think that it was that visit which called the attention of the prisoners to the powers that were vested in the grand jury to give them clothing?— I do recollect that circumstance so strongly ; but I do think that was the first general introduction of clothing into Newgate, except in the case of transports. Then you do not conceive, that prior to that, they were aware that they had a right to claim clothing from the public ?— I do not think that the prisoners knew it prior to that time. You have stated, that you conceive it was the knowledge of that fact which has produced the state of nudity so much complained of; how'do you account for there being prisoners in a state of nudity, prior to that circumstance being known ?— I re- concile it in this way, that the prisoners have in general appeared in a state of nudity, when strangers go into the prison. Do you conceive, from your knowledge of the class of persons who are at present committed