Page:Hubert W. Peet - 112 Days' Hard Labour, Being Some Reflections On the First of My Sentences as a Conscientious Objector - 1917.pdf/5



O prison” and “to isolate” are practically identical terms. I understood this when on reaching my cell on my first night I found my sole remaining links with ordinary life were my spectacles, every shred of clothing and other possessions having been replaced by prison garb. Then the first rule read, “Prisoners must preserve silence,” and from the moment of entering till that of leaving the prison, to hold the slightest communication with another prisoner renders one liable to punishment.

Perhaps the outsider will imagine that temptations to break the rule occur on more occasions than is actually the case. Of this they can judge from a rough time-table of the day’s happenings. This is as follows:—5.30 a.m.—Get up, wash, make bed, put plank bedstead and mattress (the latter is supplied after 14 days) against wall, sweep out cell. 6.0 a.m.—Warder opens door. Put slops out. Ward Officer walks round to note any applications to see the Governor, Doctor or Chaplain or any small complaints. Door closed while cleaners empty tins, leave clean water, etc., outside. Begin work in cell, for everyone has a canvas task to perform during the day. 7 a.m.—Breakfast served. 8 a.m.—Half an hour’s exercise. 12 noon.—Dinner served. 1.30 p.m.—Dinner tins, slops, etc., collected. 4 p.m.—Supper served. 8 p.m.—Lights out. On Wednesday and Saturday morning there is “Chapel” before exercise. On Sunday, prisoners do not rise till seven, and go to Chapel twice, at 10.30 and 3. Of course, no work is done on this day. During the first month, at all events, the only time one sees another human being is for the few moments when the door is opened for meals, etc., at exercise, and at Chapel.

After this period has elapsed, prisoners are supposed to work in association in the morning and afternoon in canvas, brush or tinsmith’s shops, laundry, bakery, etc. In my case, however, owing, I believe, to the congestion in these departments, I worked over ten weeks of my prison life alone in my cell, in practically solitary confinement; the only alleviation being that on three afternoons my cell door was left open and I could see passers-by along the gallery. There were even some cases, however, of men working all the time in their cells. In any case, it will be noted that prisoners are entirely isolated for fourteen hours between supper and 6 a.m. Think what the effect of such life must be on ordinary prisoners who can find no joy in reading after finishing work in the evening, or on the “juvenile adult,” the poor little boy thieves and hoc genus omne in their teens during these empty hours.