In response to Dave Bond (Oxford Mail, May 14), may I clarify the position on public hangings at Oxford Prison?
The following is quoted from In West Oxford, edited by Thomas W Squires in 1928: "The last public execution in Oxford was on March 23, 1863, and the writer of this quote, who was present, well remembers the huge crowd which assembled to witness it.
"The gallows were erected on the low tower over the prison entrance and every available space in its view was occupied.
"Hundreds came in from the country in the early hours of the morning, so as to secure a favourable position.
"Small boys climbed lamp posts and the canal wharf wall and stacks of coal were seized upon as vantage points.
"Coarse jests and ribald laughter were to be heard on every side, but a strange - almost painful - silence came over the scene as the principal figure in the drama took his place under the fatal beam.
"Scarcely anyone, however, moved, till an hour later, when the body was taken down. Such scenes were degrading and demoralising and the legislature did wisely in making them impossible for the future."
I would be more than happy to pass a copy to Mr Bond - like his visitors he showed round the Castle site and former jail, I, too, am from County Durham. I was a prison officer for 36 years and spent my last 22 years at Oxford Prison until its closure.
D CONNELLY, Churchill Road, Kidlington
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