It is ridiculous to measure a man, and spend skilled labour in cutting and making well-fitting garments which will not hang together for a month.
The under clothes there is very little to find fault with, the stocking and flannels are as good as need be. The materials of the boots in general are of a good quality, and the workmanship excellent.
As far as the hat is concerned nothing can be much worse.
But taken altogether the rig out is most unsatisfactory, indeed; so worthless is it, that if a man were to go straight from prison to Monmouth-street or Petticoat-lane, and is lucky enough not to be caught in the rain, the dealers in new and second-hand clothes will allow him the magnificent sum of six, or at the most, seven shillings for the whole turn-out of coat, vest, trousers, hat, and handkerchiefs.
They are sent abroad, as no one in this country will buy such rubbish.
Due attention has not been given to this subject by the executive.
Men when they leave prison should have every possible inducement for them to return to an honest course of life.
The prisoner who goes to the Prisoners’ Aid Society in London is not compelled to accept the clothes which the gaol officials provide.
He is sent up to town for discharge, and the society, out of the funds at their disposal, buy him some decent garments, which he is not ashamed of appearing in.
Peace, however, did not belong to any society of this nature.