Report on the natives of South-west Africa and their treatment by Germany / prepared in the Administrator's Office, Windhuk, South-West Africa, January 1918.

  • Administrator's Office (South-West Africa)
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Report on the natives of South-west Africa and their treatment by Germany / prepared in the Administrator's Office, Windhuk, South-West Africa, January 1918. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the hand bar becomes tilted antero-posteriorly owing to the peculiar attachment of the chain, and painful pressure is immediately exerted by the sharp edges of the sockets, while simultaneously an increased burdea falls on the ankles. ‘The result is that constant and inevitable pain and torture are produced by this vicious circle of events. Even in the recumbent position the effects are similar. As a means of inflicting barbarous cruelty on prisoners this diabolical instrument is unrivalled. (See also Plate C2.) Fig. 2 represents a light combination of leg-irons and handcuffs, which seriously impedes progression and causes very great discomfort. The hands are in very close opposition and in a most uncomfortable attitude. It offers a severe means of punishment and as a method of restraint is unnecessarily cruel (See also Plates C and C2.) 5 : (3) Hanpourrs: Plate C, Figs. 1, 2,3, 4, 5,6 and 7; (See also Plates'C] and ©2.) Fig. 1 shows a bar handcuff, 2 feet long, made of flat iron, 2 inthes wide and 2 of an inch thick. It weighs 12 Ibs. In the upright position it produces painful pressure in whatever attitude the arms are: placed. The same also-applies to the sitting and recumbent. postures, when every change of position causes pain and torture. Its use cannot be justified under any circumstances, not even as a temporary measure for restraint. If worn for any length of time very serious injury will result to the arms and also to the general health of the prisoner. (See also Plate C2.) Figs. 2 and 3—This type of handcuff varies in weight from 14 lbs. to 2 lbs. No objection could be raised against them as a temporary means of restraint, provided that the correst size is fitted. Their use for long periods or in conjunction with leg-irons 3 (PY, igs. 9 and 10, Plate C), especially in the case of women, cannot be too strongly condemned. Figs. 4 and 5 represent the ordinary types of handcuffs, and require no description or comment Figs. 6 and 7—These handcuffs are used for transferring prisoners by mounted escort from one station to another, sometimes over long distances. The prisoner, attached to the saddle by the chain, had to regulate his pace according to that of his escort. The hands were, more often than not, ‘hand- cuffed behind the back. This method of conveying prisoners may be perfectly humane, but lends itself when the distance is great: considerable suffering will result, Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are leg-irons, which were generally used in conjunction with Nok 2 and 3, as described above. They vary in weight from 24 to 34 lbs. The cell floors were provided with ring bolts to which prisoners were frequently secured een of these chains. While the actual use of them as a temporary means of restraint, in the case of dangerous criminals, cannot be considered inhumane, there is, unfortunately, abundant evidence to show that they were designed and actually used as means of punishment, and their use for the chaining of women for such offences as laziness, impertinence or vagrancy could not possibly be justified. . During progression they are a constant source of discomfort, and when worn for any lengthy period, destruction of the skin and underlying parts takes place, with very painful and even serious consequences to the prisoner. (See also Plates Cl and C2.) ~ No more cruel system of slow and deliberate torture could be devised than this chain system. In addition to the torture inflicted by these chains, prisoners were made to do as much work as if they were unfettered. Further, being clad in sacks only, their sufferings were aggravated in winter. by the cold in the dark and badly ventilated cells. (The original chains and fetters appearing in these plates are all in my possession.) B.—(1) OBSERVATIONS ON CorRPORAL PUNISHMENT AS PRACTISED IN THE Union oF SoutH AFRICA. Corporal punishment is inflicted only in the most serious offences, such as robbery with violence, rape, certain contraventions of the Immorality Laws, and habitual stock theft, the object being to cause suitable instrument for this purpose, as it meets the requirements of justice at a minimum cost to the health of the prisoner. The prescribed cane is } inch in diameter and 4 feet long (vide Plate D). It is light, elastic and under perfect control, allowing of an even distribution of the strokes across the buttocks. It does not cut the skin, but merely ‘produces superficial abrasions, which heal readily. Punishment is always carried out under the supervision of a medical officer, who has the power of stopping it should signs of serious shock or collapse appear. After punishment the prisoner is given labour. The number of strokes rarely exceeds 12, and only in the case of very serious offences are more’ inflicted. Any number in excess: of this leads to superimposition of the lashes, resulting in greater local injury and intense shock, which: might seriously cripple and even endanger the lite of the prisoner, while; at the same time, guch a degree of loss of sensation in the parts: is:produced as to render the victim insensitive to pain, thus frustrating the main object of justice. The cane is soaked and disinfected as far as possible before use, and the strokes are horizontal and not vertical. Great care is exercised to protect adjacent vulnerable parts by means of pads, and to confine the strokes to the buttocks, by immobilising the prisoner on a tripod. By these precautions injury to such organs as the genitals, and cutting of the skin over bony prominences, are prevented.. Before the administration of the strokes the prisoner is examined by a medical officer, who advises as to his fitness, or otherwise, to undergo punishment. (of In. S.W. ArRIcA UNDER THE GERMAN RficIME, . - The sjambok was the prescribed instrument for inflicting lashes in 8.W. Africa during the German régime. It may be-described as a, short handwhip, varying in length from 3 to 4 feet, and composed. entirely of the raw hide of such animals as the giraffe, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus. The handle is rigid, and the lash gradually tapers towards the point, which is very supple and consequently not under t —