Penge Penal Institute, 28 April, 12–30 pm
Two 17-year-old youths, one male, one female, birched for an act of gross indecency at a bus stop on Saturday night. Youth A (male) sentenced to 24 strokes of the birch, youth B (female) to 12 strokes. SCO Rodwell asked the youths why the court had not sentenced them to the same punishment, ‘Because that’s how them silly judges think,’ said youth A. ‘It ain’t fair.’ SCO Rodwell asked youth B if she concurred that the sentencing was unfair. Youth B, after considering the matter, said she did. ‘After all, we was both doing what we was doing, wasn’t we?’ SCO Rodwell asked whether, since there was unanimity on the point, it would be reasonable for her to give each youth 18 strokes, thus equalising their sentences. The youths, after deliberating with each other, agreed. The 18-stroke birchings were duly administered, full force, by DCO Prendergast. Both youths were reduced to tears, but thanked the correction officers for treating them fairly.
Signed: SCO RODWELL