DISPOSAL OF OUR FELONS

This week’s article is a slightly more difficult read because of its old-fashioned and slightly pretentious language, but it’s worth it!

Iona, 26 January 1857

To the Editor of the Glasgow Courier,  

Sir, The disposal of our felons appears to be at present a questio vexata [troubled question]. But that certain, immediate, and definite steps must be taken by Government towards this important end, I conclude all must agree.

The ‘ticket-of-leave’ system [a parole document that allowed a criminal to leave prison early if they demonstrated good behaviour] has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Owing to it the country has been partially overrun by quasi-reformed criminals released from durance [imprisonment] vile on their good behaviour. God save the mark [the victim of a crime]! Consequently, robberies with violence and other atrocious crimes are now more frequent than ever throughout the length and breadth of the land. Nor are such to be marvelled at if, for a moment, we consider who are the ‘wolves in sheeps clothing’, the perpetrators of the same—villains who throw ‘soft sawder’ [flattery] in the eyes of justice, and, by assuming the garb of penitence and reformation, so work on the mistaken feelings of our rulers that, after a comparatively brief probationary term of imprisonment in a place where they had little to do and plenty to eat (what every mauvais sujet [bad person] principally desiderates [wants]), they make a triumphant exit from the prison gates, singing ‘Oh be joyful’ over their ticket-of-leave. Revenous à nos moutous [‘let’s get back to our sheep’—presumably, their old ways] is now their cry. They entered prison bad men; they leave it worse. Within its walls, though what is termed ‘moral [per]suasion’ may be enacted, aye, and probably enforced, I fear the ‘moral law’ is too frequently lost sight of. The old system of transportation prevented much, if not all of this. But since that is now unfortunately numbered amongst the things that were, it behoves government pro bono et salute publico [for the public good and safety] to provide some effectual mode of punishment in lieu of the former. To do this, the one thing needful is a proper place.

Now sir, when I look around me, I certainly feel surprised that the idea of converting one of our larger Hebridean Islands into a penal home settlement has never been mooted. There are many such admirably adapted for the purpose. As an example at present, I shall select the extensive and remote Isle of Tyree, the property of his Grace the Duke of Argyll, and, in conjunction with it, I would include the immediately adjoining smaller Island of Coll. In the former, under proper management, nearly 2,000 prisoners might be located. Then with spade husbandry [digging], not forgetting other means and appliances, its present and unfruitful wastes might, nay would, be made to ‘blossom as the rose’. ‘Othello’s occupation’ [being a soldier, a reference to the Shakespeare play] would not be gone for years, and every revolving season would prove the value of the work done, and, in a very short time, I am convinced, the establishment would become self-paying. This, of itself, is of great importance. The present inhabitants of the island, comparatively few in number these days [in fact, the population of Tiree at that time was around 3,300], could easily be removed to a ‘better land’ without any loss to themselves or to the interests of the noble proprietor. They also would benefit in no small degree were the Island of Tyree to fall into the hands of our sovereign lady the Queen.

Apologising for the length of my letter, but pleading as its excuse the importance of the subject, 

l am, &c., &c., GLENAPP.’ (Glasgow Courier, 31 January 1857, p. 2)

I have not been able to find out the identity of ‘Glenapp’, a small settlement just outside Ballantrae, Ayrshire. He was equally unsuccessful when wrote a letter to the Courier recommending that the Wallace Monument be sited on the Ayrshire coast rather than near Stirling.