74 REPORT — 1861. 



daily, with a quart of meat soup twice, and one pound of potatoes, and one 

 pint of gruel each thrice per weeii. The breakfast and supper invariably 

 consist of half a pound of bread and one pint of gruel. 



The Carnarvon Gaol introduces a new article of diet, and is unique in 

 this particular, viz. buttermilk, one pint of which is added to the dinner 

 twice per week. The whole dietary differs from that recommended by the 

 Government, and is a subject on which the authorities of the gaol have 

 either doubt or pride, if we may judge by the multitude of certificates which 

 they have been pleased to append to the return. In all the classes a pint 

 to a pint and a half of broth is administered for supper thrice per week 

 instead of gruel, and given alone in the first two classes, but with six or eight 

 ounces of bread in all the others. This is made from the meat liquor, with 

 two ounces of peas, and with green vegetables, and is, therefore, a very valu- 

 able addition to the dietary. There is a diminution in the quantity of bread 

 and an increase in that of potatoes in the proportion of two ounces of the 

 former to half a pound of the latter. Soup is given on three days per week 

 to prisoners condemned for periods exceeding twenty-one days ; but no meat 

 is allowed separately, except for longer periods than three months, and then 

 three ounce's of meat are given separately on three other days per week. 

 Taken as a whole, it is an improved dietary. 



The dietary of the Merioneth Gaol at Dolgelly is full of peculiarities. It 

 introduces four new articles of diet, viz. cheese, bacon, milk, and boiled rice ; 

 but they are not all given on one day or on any fixed rota, but each is con- 

 tingent : so that three ounces of bacon meat, without bone, may be substi- 

 tuted for eight ounces of bread and four ounces of cheese, or one quart of 

 pea-soup or broth, and four ounces of bread ; and one pound and a half of 

 boiled rice is regarded as an equivalent for the bread and cheese in one 

 place, and for half a pound of bread alone in another. One quart of milk 

 and eight ounces of bread may be substituted once per week for any of the 

 above dinners. Excepting these various contingencies, which give a com- 

 plex air, the scheme is simple ; for it only provides for two classes, compre- 

 hending prisoners condemned, respectively, to fourteen and exceeding four- 

 teen daj's, without labour; so that a plain bread-and-chee«e dinner, or any of 

 the above-mentioned alternatives, is considered sufficient for dinner for any 

 period, however long. Broth or soup is given for dinner to the first class. 

 The gruel, broth, and pea-soup are each weaker than the gruel and soup re- 

 commended by the Government. We cannot but regard this dietary as defec- 

 tive in having so many contingencies, and those which differ much in nutri- 

 tive value, whilst they are regarded as good substitutes for each other; but 

 since the average use of each kind of diet is not stated, it is impossible to 

 estimate the true value of this dietary. The extra food allowed for hard 

 labour is ridiculously insufficient, viz. six ounces of bread per day ; and the 

 whole scheme demands immediate revision. 



The Montgomery Gaol also provides bacon as an article of diet to the 

 highest class, or those exceeding three months' imprisonment. The quantity 

 allowed is two ounces without bone, added to one pound of potatoes and half 

 a pound of bread four times per week, whilst on other days the dinner con- 

 sists of one pint of soup and half a pound of bread. For periods varying 

 from two weeks to three months, the bacon is omitted. In the first class, one 

 pint of soup is given on the Sunday, whilst on other days the dinner consists 

 of half a pound of bread only. Bacon as an article of prison dietary is valu- 

 able, since it supplies fat, and is also savoury. 



'1 he Denbigh County Gaol at Ruthen introduces us to another noveltj'. 



