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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 4, p. 405.

XII] POLICE ,-1AD JAILS 405 reduction to a lower class, withdrawal of indulgences, transfer to a punishment-gang or ward, with extra hard labour and penal diet (and, in the case of females, with liability to have their hair cropped and to wear a refractory dress), solitary con- finement, and corporal punishment (in the case of males only). Ordinary male convicts sentenced to transportation for life are released, if they have behaved well, after twenty years' imprison- ment, and persons convicted of dacoity and other organized crime after twenty-five; but in both cases it is generally essential that fifteen years of the period should be passed in the settlement. Thags and professional poisoners are never released. Well-behaved female convicts are released after fifteen years, and in the case of local marriage husband and wife are liberated at the same time. The release is sometimes absolute and sometimes, especially in the case of dacoits, subject to conditions, e.g. in regard to residence. In some cases the released convicts prefer to remain in the settlement as free persons: they then earn a livelihood by agriculture, as shopkeepers, and in other ways. The settlement is administered by a Superintendent, aided by a staff of European assistants and native subordinates. BIBLIOGRAPHY Sleeman's Report on the Depredations of the Thags (1840). Report of the Madras Torture Commission, ISr,. Report of the Indian Police Commission of ISG6. Report of the Police Commission of 1902-3. Report of the Prisons Commission of 8S38. Report of the Prisons Commission of 1864. Report of the Prisons Commission of 1876-7. Report of the Prisons Committee of 1889. Also the annual Administration Reports on Police and Jails in the several Provinces, and the Annual Reviewq of Jail Operations by the Government of India (published in the a:Lc:,' ' [Iludia).