§ MR. HENEAGE (Grimsby)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a discretion vested in either the magistrates or prison authorities in England to absolve persons sentenced to short terms of imprisonment from certain sanitary regulations in reference to dress and haircutting; if so, in whom the discretionary power is now vested, and what are the conditions under which such powers can be exercised; and, whether he will consider the advisability of placing England, Scotland, and Ireland on an equal footing, by giving some discretion either to Visiting Justices or the Governors of Her Majesty's Prisons, on the recommendation of the Presiding Magistrate in cases of summary juris- 1235 diction, as to the necessity or advantage of enforcing all the sanitary regulations as laid down by the existing prison rules?
§ MR. MATTHEWSUnder the Prisons Act of 1865 no discretion is vested either in the magistrates or in the prison authorities to dispense persons sentenced to short terms of imprisonment from wearing prison dress. With regard to haircutting, the Act of 1865 lays down that the hair of male criminal prisoners shall not be cut closer than may be necessary for the purposes of health and cleanliness. The practice now pursued is that the hair and beard are cut once a fortnight to a length proper to insure cleanliness; but, in accordance with instructions issued by Sir R. Cross in 1879, prisoners are allowed to grow their hair to a moderate length a short time before discharge. I will refer the suggestion as to placing England, Scotland, and Ireland on an equal footing to the Committee which, as the right hon. Gentleman is aware, has lately been appointed to inquire into the whole question of prison rules.