Malicious Mischief? Women’s Suffrage in Scotland

Answer by the Secretary for Scotland, 7^th January 1913. States suffragettes were allowed use of blankets or rugs on wooden beds. A female attendant is in charge of the female block of cells and all cells are under the supervision of the male superintendent.

Letter from Vivian Phillipps, private secretary to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 19^th December 1912. Forwards enclosed letters and requests a reply with observations to be sent to Mr McKinnon Wood.

Draft Memoranda – the rule for prisoners in Scotland do not apply to police lock up cells. The Prison Commissioners have no authority over the police in this matter. 19^th December 1912.

Newspaper clippings from Edinburgh Evening Dispatch 8^th March 1913 ‘The Kew Outrage. Stiff Sentence of Suffragette. I Shall Not Stay in Prison.’

Describes the trial of two women, Joyce Locke and Lilian Lenton, charged with setting fire to the tea pavilion in Kew Gardens. The article provides some details of the trial, the comments of the judge and the comments of one of the female prisoners.

Newspaper clippings from Edinburgh Evening Dispatch 8^th March 1913 ‘The Kew Outrage. Stiff Sentence of Suffragette. I Shall Not Stay in Prison.’ Attached on top an additional newspaper clipping from ‘The Times’ 9^th April 1913 titled ‘Release of Miss Wharry’

This clipping provides information on Olive Wharry, who pleaded not guilty to the charge of setting fire to the tea pavilion in Kew Gardens. It states that she “concealed” the fact that she was hunger-striking, and has been moved to hospital due to her weakened state.

Prisoners Marion Pollock, Fanny Parker, Joyce Locke and Mary Humphreys have been given provisional approval to the Governor’s suggestion that the prisoners should be given the benefit of the Secretary for Scotland’s Special Rule of 29^th July 1910. Prisoners have been given privileges of wearing their own clothes, having books and visits and food sent in, "they declined the latter and refused to take any food and also behaved in an insubordinate manner". The female prison at Aberdeen is small (33 cells) so that the noise made can be heard throughout the whole building. Also includes a newspaper clipping from Glasgow Herald, 9^th December 1912 – ‘Aberdeen Suffragists’ Prison Experiences’. p1

Prisoners Marion Pollock, Fanny Parker, Joyce Locke and Mary Humphreys have been given provisional approval to the Governor’s suggestion that the prisoners should be given the benefit of the Secretary for Scotland’s Special Rule of 29^th July 1910. Prisoners have been given privileges of wearing their own clothes, having books and visits and food sent in, "they declined the latter and refused to take any food and also behaved in an insubordinate manner". The female prison at Aberdeen is small (33 cells) so that the noise made can be heard throughout the whole building. Also includes a newspaper clipping from Glasgow Herald, 9^th December 1912 – ‘Aberdeen Suffragists’ Prison Experiences’. p2

Prisoners Marion Pollock, Fanny Parker, Joyce Locke and Mary Humphreys have been given provisional approval to the Governor’s suggestion that the prisoners should be given the benefit of the Secretary for Scotland’s Special Rule of 29^th July 1910. Prisoners have been given privileges of wearing their own clothes, having books and visits and food sent in, "they declined the latter and refused to take any food and also behaved in an insubordinate manner". The female prison at Aberdeen is small (33 cells) so that the noise made can be heard throughout the whole building. Also includes a newspaper clipping from Glasgow Herald, 9^th December 1912 – ‘Aberdeen Suffragists’ Prison Experiences’. p3

Letter from Governor Forbes, Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 9^th December 1912. Marion Pollock and Mary Humphreys persisted in abstaining from food and took only water to drink. Threatened to fling dishes at female staff. Humphreys broke several panes of glass in her window as ‘protest’ against her being in a prison at all and the Government. Prisoner Locke refused to be medically examined. Very defiant and insolent. Details further rebellious behaviour and examples of the prisoners damaging police cells. p1

Letter from Governor Forbes, Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 9^th December 1912. Marion Pollock and Mary Humphreys persisted in abstaining from food and took only water to drink. Threatened to fling dishes at female staff. Humphreys broke several panes of glass in her window as ‘protest’ against her being in a prison at all and the Government. Prisoner Locke refused to be medically examined. Very defiant and insolent. Details further rebellious behaviour and examples of the prisoners damaging police cells. p2

Letter from Governor Forbes, Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 9^th December 1912. Marion Pollock and Mary Humphreys persisted in abstaining from food and took only water to drink. Threatened to fling dishes at female staff. Humphreys broke several panes of glass in her window as ‘protest’ against her being in a prison at all and the Government. Prisoner Locke refused to be medically examined. Very defiant and insolent. Details further rebellious behaviour and examples of the prisoners damaging police cells. p3

Letter from R. Forbes from Aberdeen Prison, to ‘My dear master.’ 7^th December 1912. States that ‘Brown’ is a ringleader who had barricaded herself in her cell in Holloway to avoid force feeding and only yielded to the hose pipe which was turned on her. Joyce Locke smashed all her windows as a ‘protest’ because the doctor would not let her out to exercise. The others smashed their windows in sympathy. Suffragists are ‘mutineers’. Humphreys smashed her gas box in her cell and flung pieces of glass at anyone passing. She had to be taken to the strong cell. Got the women up and dressed and ready to go out as soon as the prison opened to avoid the demonstration that was reported to take place. Absolute secrecy was kept relating to the hour of their liberation. Humphreys was annoyed that she was being liberated under an act of kindness rather than bill of suspension. The report notes that the other female prisoners, ‘who were quaking with terror’, are relieved they have gone. Brown doesn’t know Humphreys has gone but thinks she is hors de combat from weakness and forcible feeding as she hasn’t heard her [Humphreys] calling. p1

Letter from R. Forbes from Aberdeen Prison, to ‘My dear master.’ 7^th December 1912. States that ‘Brown’ is a ringleader who had barricaded herself in her cell in Holloway to avoid force feeding and only yielded to the hose pipe which was turned on her. Joyce Locke smashed all her windows as a ‘protest’ because the doctor would not let her out to exercise. The others smashed their windows in sympathy. Suffragists are ‘mutineers’. Humphreys smashed her gas box in her cell and flung pieces of glass at anyone passing. She had to be taken to the strong cell. Got the women up and dressed and ready to go out as soon as the prison opened to avoid the demonstration that was reported to take place. Absolute secrecy was kept relating to the hour of their liberation. Humphreys was annoyed that she was being liberated under an act of kindness rather than bill of suspension. The report notes that the other female prisoners, ‘who were quaking with terror’, are relieved they have gone. Brown doesn’t know Humphreys has gone but thinks she is hors de combat from weakness and forcible feeding as she hasn’t heard her [Humphreys] calling. p2

Letter from R. Forbes from Aberdeen Prison, to ‘My dear master.’ 7^th December 1912. States that ‘Brown’ is a ringleader who had barricaded herself in her cell in Holloway to avoid force feeding and only yielded to the hose pipe which was turned on her. Joyce Locke smashed all her windows as a ‘protest’ because the doctor would not let her out to exercise. The others smashed their windows in sympathy. Suffragists are ‘mutineers’. Humphreys smashed her gas box in her cell and flung pieces of glass at anyone passing. She had to be taken to the strong cell. Got the women up and dressed and ready to go out as soon as the prison opened to avoid the demonstration that was reported to take place. Absolute secrecy was kept relating to the hour of their liberation. Humphreys was annoyed that she was being liberated under an act of kindness rather than bill of suspension. The report notes that the other female prisoners, ‘who were quaking with terror’, are relieved they have gone. Brown doesn’t know Humphreys has gone but thinks she is hors de combat from weakness and forcible feeding as she hasn’t heard her [Humphreys] calling. p3

Letter from R. Forbes from Aberdeen Prison, to ‘My dear master.’ 7^th December 1912. States that ‘Brown’ is a ringleader who had barricaded herself in her cell in Holloway to avoid force feeding and only yielded to the hose pipe which was turned on her. Joyce Locke smashed all her windows as a ‘protest’ because the doctor would not let her out to exercise. The others smashed their windows in sympathy. Suffragists are ‘mutineers’. Humphreys smashed her gas box in her cell and flung pieces of glass at anyone passing. She had to be taken to the strong cell. Got the women up and dressed and ready to go out as soon as the prison opened to avoid the demonstration that was reported to take place. Absolute secrecy was kept relating to the hour of their liberation. Humphreys was annoyed that she was being liberated under an act of kindness rather than bill of suspension. The report notes that the other female prisoners, ‘who were quaking with terror’, are relieved they have gone. Brown doesn’t know Humphreys has gone but thinks she is hors de combat from weakness and forcible feeding as she hasn’t heard her [Humphreys] calling. p4

Letter from Governor Forbes, Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 3^rd December 1912. Marion Pollock, Fanny Parker, Joyce Locke and Mary Humphreys were admitted this afternoon. All protested their sentences are unjust. All ask to be treated as political prisoners. They are wearing their own clothing. Pollock, Parker and Locke concealed themselves overnight in the hall where the Chancellor of the Exchequer was going to speak. All are adopting hunger strike and ask for personal items to be sent in. Commissioners approve provisionally to the four women being treated under the Secretary for Scotland’s Rule 29^th July 1910 pending confirmation by the Secretary for Scotland. The Commissioners have requested the Governor of Dundee prison to forward today one tube, one gag and one filler for artificial feeding if required. p1

Letter from Governor Forbes, Aberdeen Prison to the Prison Commission for Scotland, 3^rd December 1912. Marion Pollock, Fanny Parker, Joyce Locke and Mary Humphreys were admitted this afternoon. All protested their sentences are unjust. All ask to be treated as political prisoners. They are wearing their own clothing. Pollock, Parker and Locke concealed themselves overnight in the hall where the Chancellor of the Exchequer was going to speak. All are adopting hunger strike and ask for personal items to be sent in. Commissioners approve provisionally to the four women being treated under the Secretary for Scotland’s Rule 29^th July 1910 pending confirmation by the Secretary for Scotland. The Commissioners have requested the Governor of Dundee prison to forward today one tube, one gag and one filler for artificial feeding if required. p2

Letter from Medical Officer, Aberdeen Prison, 3^rd December 1912. Joyce Locke, Mary Humphreys, Marion Pollock and Fanny Parker were admitted to prison today. Locke and Humphreys declined to allow him to make medical examination. All stated they will not take food in prison.

Letter from Mary Humphreys (letter notes her alias as Edith Johnston, Margaret Morrison and Ethel Moorhead), 17^th December 1912. Drawing attention to her letter in The Scotsman of 16^th December. Questions if police rules apply to police prisons or if the Prison Commissioners have authority over the police. Refers to the recent practice of the police (in Scotland) of refusing bail to the Suffragettes imprisoning them for the night in cells at Police Stations where there is no sleeping accommodation and where male warders come in and out of cells all night. In England this is not done. If Suffragettes are refused bail overnight they should be sent to prison and be provided with proper sleeping accommodation and female attendants only.

Includes newspaper clipping from The Scotsman of Humphrey’s article. It is titled ‘Suffragettes in Jail’

Letter from Mary Humphreys (letter notes her alias as Edith Johnston, Margaret Morrison and Ethel Moorhead)to the Mater of Polwarth, 17^th December 1912 with newspaper clipping stuck on top. The newspaper is titled ‘Suffragettes in Jail. 61 Nethergate, Dundee, 16^th December 1912’. It is a statement by Marion Pollock about her experience in prison as a suffragette, and the ‘intimidating tactics’ used by the prison authorities in threatening force-feeding.

Letter from Mary Humphreys (letter notes her alias as Edith Johnston, Margaret Morrison and Ethel Moorhead) to the Master of Polwarth, 17^th December 1912. Drawing attention to her letter in The Scotsman of 16^th December. Questions if police rules apply to police prisons or if the Prison Commissioners have authority over the police. Humphreys refers to the recent practice of the police (in Scotland) refusing bail to the Suffragettes, imprisoning them for the night in cells at Police Stations where there is no sleeping accommodation, and where male warders come in and out of cells all night. Notes that in England this is not done. She suggests that, if Suffragettes are refused bail overnight, they should be sent to prison and be provided with proper sleeping accommodation and female attendants only.

Includes newspaper clipping from The Scotsman of Humphrey’s article. It is titled ‘Suffragettes in Jail’

Newspaper clipping from the Aberdeen Free Press, 3^rd December 1912. One section titled ‘Suffragists Sentenced. Four got to prison. Lively Police Court Scenes. Struggle in the dock’ reports on the arrest of Joyce Locke, Fanny Parker and Marion Pollock for ‘Breach of the Peace’. All three woman had attempted to attend a political meeting where Lloyd George was speaking. The second section, titled ‘Glenburnie Stone-Throwing. Accused Wants Lloyd George. Struggle in the Dock’ reports on the arrest of Mary Humphreys for ‘Malicious Mischief’.

Covering page dated 3^rd December 1912. Four Suffragette prisoners in Aberdeen Prison treated as civil prisoners under special rule.

Archival reference HH16/41 pencilled on cover.