of prisoners sentenced to hard labour outside
of gaols.

The act described the conduct of prisoners in
such situations: Prisoners were “...subject to all
the rules, regulations, and discipline of the
gaol... and to any regulations made by
Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council under the first
section of the Act of Canada.”” It was sttessed
that these prisoners had to be supervised at all
times by an officer of the gaol.

Following passage of this act, more emphasis
was placed on using the sentence of
imprisonment with hard labour. Prisoners given
this sentence were employed either on the chain
gang, or at more arduous work around the gaol.

Work on the chain gang involved:
» Construction and repair of roads;
» Clearing forests; and

» Maintenance of government buildings.

Employment at the gaol consisted of:

» Picking oakum® (reserved for individuals
incapable of more arduous tasks);

Chopping wood;

» Cooking;
» Washing clothes; and

» Odd jobs concerned with prison
maintenance.

The “proper management of Gaols”

Once the British Columbia Penitentiary opened
in 1878, there were more administrative
changes in the provincial system. Inmates
serving federal sentences in provincial gaols
wete transferred to this institution. In fact, the
new warden, Arthur McBride, personally
escorted them there. After taking up his new
responsibility, McBride went to Victoria and
brought 12 convicts back to the penitentiary on
the Hudson’s Bay Company steamer. The
following day, 11 more convicts were
transported from the New Westminster Gaol to
the B.C. Penitentiary.

In 1879, another select committee was
appointed to visit the Victoria Gaol. The

committee found the gaol to be in good order

and operating more efficiently than previously,
although it was overcrowded. In his report, the
chairman of the committee stated:

It is impossible to suppose that there can
be sufficient fresh air in a cell 12 by 6,

8 feet high, when occupied by five
prisoners; and therefore, from a sanitary
point of view, it is strongly recommended
that new buildings should be erected as
soon as possible, Notwithstanding the
overcrowding, the prisoners were found to
be in a cleanly state.

5 This quote refers to “An Act to provide for the employment without the walls of Common Gaols, of prisoners
sentenced to imprisonment therein” passed by the federal government in 1877. Section 1 refers to the power to
make regulations to prevent escapes and preserve discipline when prisoners were employed outside the gaol.

6 Loose fibre produced by shredding old rope that was used particularly for caulking. This task was reserved for

convicts and paupers.

18

Corrections in British Columbia