§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What restrictions are placed on books and other literature allowed to be read by prisoners segregated under Rule 43 for reasons of good order and discipline that are not applicable to prisoners on ordinary location.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)No special restrictions are placed on reading material which may be obtained by prisoners subject to Prison Rule 43. The purchase of books and periodicals is a privilege under Prison Rule 4. Under Standing Order 4 a Governor may withhold access to reading material either as part of a punishment for an offence against prison discipline or where, in his opinion, the contents could present a threat to good order and discipline, or where the contents are considered likely to have an adverse effect on the prisoner. In addition, an inmate will normally not be allowed to retain more than 12 books (other than library books and approved text books) in his possession at any one time, and the Governor also has discretion, if conditions in a particular establishment dictate, to reduce the number of books, and to set a limit on the number of copies of newspapers and periodicals which may be retained.