of the gaol rules and regulations throughout
this era.'” Some changes occurred, although
more detailed accounting of behaviour was
required.

For example, prisoners were not to be
restrained in shackles or leg trons while
confined or working in chain gangs outside of
gaols, except upon the order of the warden. If
the warden ordered a prisoner shackled or
ironed, he had to report it to the inspector of
gaols and give justification. Under the chain
gang system, prisoners had to be shackled to
the satisfaction of the senior guard. Explicit
provisions were included regarding the
responsibility of the gaol matron with female
prisoners. Cold water punishment was also
removed from the amended rules.

Residents of Burnaby protested the decision to
build Oakalla Prison Farm. The Burnaby Board
of Trade supported the position taken by the
residents and at a meeting in July 1911, the
Board of Trade proposed the following
resolution:

That this board forward a respectful
protest to the provincial government
against the establishment of a prison farm
on D.L, 84, in the midst of the best
residential locality in Burnaby, upon the
grounds (1) of its being detrimental to the

district; and (2) the occupation of a site
worth in the market over $300,000, while
the government possesses other lands, 160
acres in extent, in Burnaby, worth only
$95,000,

In the event, however, of the government
having proceeded so far towards the
establishment of the farm upon D.L. 84 as
to place it beyond recall, this board would
respectfully ask that twenty-five acres in
the southeast comer of D.L. 84, with lake
frontage, be granted to the park
commissioners of Burnaby for park
purposes, as well asa strip 200 feet wide
extending along the shore of the lake from

the western limits of the proposed park to
the south boundary of D.L. 83.

The government considered the latter
suggestion in the building of this facility.

In the meantime, a wooden building was
constructed in 1912 as temporary
accommodation for 100 short-term male
offenders. When the gaols at New Westminster
and Kamloops became overcrowded, male
prisoners were transferred to this facility in
Burnaby. With the aid of inmate labour, the
construction of a permanent structure (the red
brick building) began. The permanent structure
was completed in 1914,

The first warden at Oakalla

Warden W.G. McMynn was the first warden of
Oakalla. Records indicate that he served during
the years of the First World War, and his

philosophical basis for recruitment of staff was

on their record of service for King and
Country. Ex armed forces personnel and
policemen were the preference. When selecting
some of his best staff to assist the police with

15 It was not until 1961 that the rule of strict silence was removed from the British Columbia Gaol Rules and

Regulations.

38

Corrections in British Columbia