Kingston Penitentiary Liberation Interview, James Donnelly, 1865

No 4615 James Donnelly, R. C., Expiration of Sentence

1. How long have you been a Prisoner in the Penitentiary?

Since the sixth day of August 1858.

2. Have you suffered any, and if so, what punishments during your imprisonment?

Has not had any punishments.

3. Have you ever seen any cruel treatment inflicted upon prisoners, and what is your opinion generally upon the manner in which the convicts are treated?

Has not seen half so much as many of them deserved. He has found himself well treated.

4. Have you found the cells and other portions of the Institution sufficiently heated and ventilated?

Has found them so.

5. Are the Cells Sufficiently large?

They are small enough.

6. Is the food of the Prisoners sufficient and of good quality?

He was satisfied, and considered it good.

7. Are the clothing and bedding sufficient and suitable for the various seasons?

It is.

8. Are the sick prisoners treated with attention and humanity?

They are well treated and Mr. Whyman who is dead and gone underwent great fatigue and was very kind to him as well as to many others.

9. Is the conduct of the Officers and others employed in the Institution humane and kind towards the prisoners?

Never saw anything else, he has found them kind to [himself?].

10. Do you think that under all circumstances, things go on as well as possible in the Penitentiary?

Thinks they do.

11. What do you think is the greatest privation that prisoners are subjected to in the penitentiary?

The Confinement to the cells on Sundays.

12. Do you think the system adopted in the institution together with the religious instructions tends to reform the prisoners and is sufficient to attain that end?

Thinks every trouble and pains are taken with them and in many cases without effect.

13. Do you think that the fear of confinement in prison or in the Penitentiary is sufficient to deter from crime?

Cannot say, he never heard about the like before his misfortune dreaded his God more than earthly punishment.

14. What kind of punishment is, in your opinion, most efficient in maintaining the discipline of the Institution?

Thinks the chain.

15. Have you seen or heard prisoners manifest feelings of revenge against the officers or others employed in this Institution?

Has heard the like and very wrongfully.

16. What effect does the prospect of being pardoned produce on the prisoners?

Thinks a good effect.

17. What effect does the presence of visitors produce on the prisoners?

It often tried his feelings as well as those of other convicts.

18. Do the prisoners hold conversation among themselves, and where is the most convenient place for conversing without being discovered?

They do when they get the chance. Has never heard more talk in other places than in the Roman Catholic Chapel.

19. Had you any knowledge during your imprisonment of any plots being formed among the prisoners?

None to his knowledge.

20. Have you at any time heard news from persons outside and from what sources do prisoners generally receive such information?

None, but from the warden, from his own family. Has heard many stories but is not aware how information is had.

21. Did you receive a good religious education when you were a child?

He mainly was instructed in his religion by his parish priest.

22. How did you obtain your livelihood before being sent to the Penitentiary, and what do you propose doing after you are liberated?

By hard Farm Labour, will return to his farm labour.

23. What has been the general cause of your misfortunes and what has been the immediate cause of the crime for which you have been sent to the Penitentiary?

Liquor and [passions?]. For killing a man but [mainly?] the effect of [passions?]

24. In what prison were you confined before coming to the Penitentiary and what would be the probably effect of confinement in that prison on the morals of the prisoners there confined?

In the gaol at Goderich. The effect was very serious in [reflecting] on his unfortunate crime.

25. How often have you conversed with your clergyman in the penitentiary on religious subjects and during the time of your confinement here have you made any progress in your religious instructions?

Twice every year. Not more than he had before he came.

26. What is in your opinion the best means of reforming criminals?

Cannot say.

27. Do you think that your imprisonment in the Penitentiary has been beneficial to you in a moral and religious point of view and that you are better qualified to earn a livelihood now than before you entered the Institution?

Not more so than before he came here. Is not so well qualified as before he came here being further onward in years.