A MOTOR PRISON VAN.
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Interesting Details of a Motor "Black Maria" Built by the Leyland Co.
AMONGST the early recollections of many Londoners the old horsed " Black Maria" will be found to occupy quite a prominent position. There is something very forbidding about these vehicles, even to those who, at least at present, have no fear of taking a journey in one of them, and we can remember watching their passing_years ago with a feeling akin to awe.
However, even in the sphere of prisoner transport the motor vehicle is ousting the horse and at the same time making a much better-looking vehicle than its predecessor, for no one can say with truth that the Leyland prison van, which we illustrate, can cause any feelings of repulsion, for it is quite a nicelooking machine, differing but slightly from the appearance presented by an ordinary commercial vehicle. This example is actually one built for the Liverpool authorities, but it closely resembles those in use in other big towns, many of which vehicles are also products from the Leyland works.
The body is mounted on a standard two-ton chassis, and it is unlike other Leyland models in that the comfort of the passengers is sacrificed in favour of their security; also, no emergency exit is provided!
The main lay-out of the vehicle may be seen from the accompanying illustrations. Al, the rear, on the near side, are two folding steps which, when not in use, bring the vehicle within the maximum legal width. These steps lead to a transverse passage provided with two tip seats for the accommodation of
police officers. Separated by a massive longitudinal wooden partition are two main compartments, each provided with two strong timber seats, giving seating room for about 20 occupants in all.
There is a common ventilator of ample proportions, taking the form of a clerestory roof running the whole length of the roof and strongly safeguarded., The near-side compartment is sub-diVided, the portion at the front, which is the smaller, being intended for the conveyance of female prisoners. The door connecting this portion with that at the rear is secured by a lever operated from the outside of the van and incapable of being tampered with by any occupant either in the compartment for the female prisoners or in the other.
Well-protected inspection windows are fitted into each of the rear doors, and also in front of the smallest compartment. The glass, which is half an inch thick, measures 6 ins. square, and can, if necessary, be raised by the attendants. Each door has a width of 1 ft.
• 8 ins., whilst the gangways are 1 ft. ins. wide, and the benches for the prisoners 10 ins. wide.
The sides of the body are made of double thickness, the exterior, which is of the usual boxvan type, consisting of best quality baywood, standing clear of a lining constructed of substantial boards.
Provision is made in the cab for seating two more attendants in addition to the driver. This part of the vehicle resembles the standard Leyland pattern. It is fronted with a quarter-fold windscreen and has an oval window at each side, additional protection being afforded by high-sided doors.
It will be noted that the total accommodation afforded by the vehicle is for the driver and four police officers or attendants, in addition to the 20 occupants of the cells.
The vehicle is lit electrically, the lights being of the flush type. The finish is in black lined with white, except for the roof, which is all in white.
The Leyland 2-ton chassis has a power unit of 50-32 h.p., having four cylinders of 41 in. bore and 5 in. stroke. The final drive is by overhead worm gearing and the Wheelbase for the, standard model is 11 ft. 9 ins.