The next eight weeks past with inevitable slowness. Daisy did everything to ensure she did not find herself back under further punishment. The regular reminders from the disciplining of others in assemblies, classes and at labour were myriad.
Bergstrom, Daisy never learnt her first name, who was clearly Scandinavian had been humiliatingly been found to have been fondling herself. Her punishment had certainly banished any thoughts of seeking this relief in the stifling atmosphere from Daisy's and probably all of the other inmates' minds. As Mr Hamilton had read out her punishment in assembly Daisy had gulped with the severity.
"Offences, self fondling, failing to wear uniform correctly in bed, dirtying uniform, failure of uniform inspection, speaking without using Sir or Maam correctly, lying about behavior and trying to avoid punishment," he listed her offences.
All of these charges from a single observation of a secretion in Bergstrom's knickers at inspection.
He continued with a never ending list of sanctions she was to endure, "Punishments - Winter uniform - two pairs of woolen institution knickers, plastic incontinence pants, wool knee socks, starched shirt and tie, institution tunic, waistcoat and cardigan. Uniform to be worn 24/7 and at nights accompanied by wearing of a restraint belt. Hands to be on head at all times when not required for work. Toilet visits removed. You will use a potty once per day at breakfast or lunch time in front of the institution - this use will be time limited and the option of lunch/breakfast will not be your choice. Stand at all times in all lessons. Two hours extra drill and inspection every morning including frequent strippping. Gruel only twice per day. Mouth to be washed out with soap and water after every meal and at bedtime. Punishment haircut to be applied in institution assembly - short as possible. No washing bathing or clothing change throughout punishment. Public display in town every Sunday - woolen thumbless mitts to be worn. Sign to be worn around your neck at all times - "I deserve to be potty trained and wear incontinence knickers for fondling myself". Large butt plug to be inserted in your behind and worn their except when using your potty. Confined to the work wheel for labour so that your hands can be secured. Corporal punishment - eight strokes of the tawse to the palm and back of each hand in front of your dormitory followed by 15 strokes of the strap to your bare behind in institution assembly. Spanking by hand, paddle and hairbrush to your bared behind and thighs on you dormitory twice per week for the duration of you punishment. Punishment to last ten weeks. Sentence increased from 6 to 10 months. Miss Davis please begin with the punishment haircut and then move to the strapping as is your pleasure followed by insertion of her butt plug."
As if to remind Daisy of the need not to falter with only eight weeks remaining of her sentence Helen Taylor from her dormitory was brought before the assembled institution. Even after seven months in confinement she was still looked very presentable even dressed in her gingham dress and sweatshirt. However with less than two months of her sanction remaining she had offended. For the minor uniform offence, if there were such a thing as minor, the penance was unsparingly severe.
Mr. Hamilton began, "Offence, Failure of uniform inspection. This girl has behaved in an exemplary way for more than seven months and then decided to try and take advantage of this to free herself from the constraints of her uniform and then even when found out to hope to escape severe punishment. Today let her punishment be a warning that exemplary behavior is to be maintained at all times - not when you feel like it. Any deviations will be dealt with very severely. Punishments - Winter uniform - woollen knickers , wool knee socks, starched shirt and tie, institution tunic, waistcoat and cardigan. Uniform to be worn 24/7 and at nights accompanied by wearing of thumbless woolen mitts. Toilet visits limited to one per day. Stand at all times in all lessons. One hour extra drill and inspection every morning. Gruel only twice per day. Punishment haircut to be applied in institution assembly and maintained throughout punishment. No washing bathing or clothing change throughout punishment. Public display in town every Sunday. Corporal punishment - four strokes of the tawse to the palm and back of each hand in front of your dormitory followed by 15 strokes of the strap to your bare behind in institution assembly. Six strokes of the slipper to your bared behind on you dormitory twice per week for the duration of you punishment. Punishment to last eight weeks. Sentence increased from 9 to 12 months. In addition it is recommended that wearing of a uniform be imposed upon her at work upon release."
As Daisy watched the strap applied to Taylor and then her slipperings on the dormitory each stroke reminded her of the need to be obedient, meek and attentive.
Finally she was stood outside the Headmaster's office, as usual for inmates, with her hands on her head and her nose firmly pressed to the wall. Two other girls both dressed in the standard yellow gingham dress and sweatshirt found themselves similarly positioned beside her. All of them were awaiting their end of sentence hearing in which they would learn what the immediate future held for them. For those deemed to have completed their sentence appropriately there was the hope of a return to their previous job, for others return to a less senior job, for others the possibility of demotion and accompanying further humiliations to be experience at work and in some cases a decision for release to be delayed for a further period.
The door opened and Miss Davis snapped out her order, "Walford this way now."
One of the girls moved from the wall and marched into the room with her hands still firmly placed on the top of her head. Inside she was directed to stand in the same humiliating position before the headmaster's beautifully polished desk. On either side of the headmaster sat Miss Davis and Joan Smith, head of HR at Walford's place of work.
The Headmaster began, "Right girl we are here to determine if it is appropriate for you to be released from this Reform Institution - if not how long you should remain in confinement before release is again considered and if release is appropriate what if any conditions should be applied for your return to work with your employer."
This was, of course not a discussion or hearing, but simply the communication of the decision to the recipient.
"You were sentenced to 4 months in this Institution, with your agreement, by your employer for a continuing lack of impact in your work over a period of at least two years. During your sentence you have been allocated no additional punishments for breakage of institution rules. Clearly to expect to leave here without additional sanctions you must have behaved correctly which you have done. However we have noted and discussed with Mrs. Smith a continuing absence of any energy or commitment to tasks which appears to be why the quality of your employment work has faded. It appears that when everyone else has been stepping up to greater challenges you have failed to show the commitment or maturity to do so," the Headmaster spoke whilst staring at the inmate in front of him.
Siobhan Walford stood listening to the Headmaster and prayed that she was not to face yet further time confined to the Reform institution.
"We have considered whether further confinement would solve this problem but have decided that your experience should be sufficient to deter you from wanting to return here already. However it is clear that you still need to demonstrate that you have learnt your lesson and that until such time as you have done this it would be appropriate that others are aware you are still under warning. In addition I learn from Mrs. Smith that although you like to be low key in your work in contrast you still like to dress attractively and well. Miss Davis has therefore proposed the following conditions for your return to work as a Risk Assessor and I am pleased to say that your company has accepted these in full. Your future conditions are therefore as follows:
•You will be released from the Punishment and Retraining Institution for professional women immediately.
•You will return to your role as a Risk Assessor in the Finance Department.
•Your salary will be reduced to 80% of the grade value i.e. from current £32,000 per annum to £28,000 per annum.
•When at work you will dress in accordance with the following rules
◦Navy or brown plain ankle length skirt together with a blue or white long sleeved collared blouse buttoned to the collar at all times.