Old Johannesburg Prison

I visited the old Johannesburg Prison yesterday. It was known as "The Fort". Considering that I have spent more than a fifth of my life in prisons I do have an understanding of how they work. I do not believe all of the history I learnt at school about how great the Boers were and certainly don't believe all the history taught today. Being a medic in the Prisons I had lots to do with the diets and floggings of prisoners. The 2nd picture shows what we called a "Donkey". Prisoners were strapped to the tripod and cushions placed above and below the buttocks so if the warders aim was not straight they wouldn't be hurt. All floggings were done in the "Hospital" section under supervision of the Medical team. Canes came in different weights and the magistrate would decide which cane and how many lashes were to be given. Canes were soaked in salt water the night before. Prisoners who disobeyed prison rules were punished by removing or reducing their food rations. The information given at the Fort is distorted and sounds barbaric. A maximum of 3 meals were allowed to be taken away from a prisoner in a given cycle. If they did something seriously wrong a month of "Spare Diet" followed. This was reduced rations and a balanced feed that was carefully weighed and checked by people like me. This lasted for 30 days and a normal diet for 30 days had to be followed before giving the prisoner the same punishment. There certainly were different meals for each race group. Whites had the best and blacks the worst with Colourds and Indians somewhere in-between. The young guide who wouldn't know any better was telling tourists that whites had a menu and prisoners were given rice water!!!! The system in the 70's was far from fair but not like it is told now. As an officer I did Sunday inspections of the cells and always marvelled at the creativity of inmates in the way blankets were used to make sculptures. A reward was given to the cell that looked the best. The cells were usually overcrowded and lice was a major problem. Going to the toilet was done in view of cell mates (Usually 60 in a cell)