Mr. Bruce has consented to inquire into a ease of
alleged cruelty at Durham which certainly seems to demand investigation. A respectable man, named Maw, was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment for an assault. The warder reported him for dis- obedience; he was placed in solitary confinement, and on his release kicked the warder. The man complained to the Rev. W. Greeuwell, a magistrate, who, under the statute authorizing the lash for repeated insubordination in prison, ordered Maw to receive twenty-four lashes, which were inflicted. The case has excited great feeling in the town, and the legality of the punishment is, it is said, to be tried. It certainly seems terribly severe. Discipline must be kept in prison, but the object of authorizing the lash is to protect warders from men who are beyond reach in any other way. A prisoner under a sentence of only fourteen days could be indicted as easily as a free man, and would feel a further sentence of imprison- ment rather more. The special law of prisons should only be applied where the ordinary law fails.
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