Why Marwood Could Not Be Reprieved

RONALD MARWOOD was accused of killing a policeman. That was why he had no chance of a reprieve. He was convicted primarily on the basis of a police station confession. Like Bentley six years ago he had to be legally murdered to demonstrate that in capitalist society policemen are sacred.

On the eve of the execution prisoners inside Pentonville jail demonstrated against the sentence, more fiercely than ever before. A former prisoner in this jail explained to me what caused the outburst:

ON EDGE. 'I did my time just after the war. Two years in Pentonville—and a hell of a place it was, too.

'In the two years I was there they must have "topped" (hanged) at least ten men.

'I still shudder when I think of those last few days and particularly the last few hours. Everybody's nerves get on edge. You get a dull, sick feeling in your guts and you could cut the whole atmosphere with a knife.

'Some of the "screws" (warders) are jumpy, too. Some—the bastards—seem to enjoy it. Of course, that makes it worse. You feel like breaking their necks.

DEAD QUIET. 'Then comes the worst part. The time of the sentence. Everything goes dead quiet. You know what that does to you? It upsets you so much you're glad when it's all over.

'Fancy being relieved that a man is dead.

'That's what caused the blow-up. The men in the "nick" became so oppressed by it all, and not believing he was guilty they just had to protest.'

BRUTALIZING EFFECT. Capitalism has given its police force an assurance that it will deal swiftly with anyone who offends the enforcers of capitalist law and the protectors of capitalist property.

The ruling class does not care about individuals. Least of all does it worry about the brutalizing effect that hangings have on prisoners, warders and public alike.