72. Mr. HARVEYasked the Home Secretary whether the Prison Commissioners have considered the possibility of a limited modification of the prison rule which prohibit all conversation amongst prisoners, so as to permit conversation at certain specified times, which might be lessened or increased in accordance with the progress made by individual prisoners; and, if not, whether an experiment in this direction will be undertaken?
§ Mr. BRACEI would refer the Member to the answer given to a similar question last Monday. The matter has been considered repeatedly, and experiments have been tried, but, except in the case of prisoners in preventive detention, and con- 1768 victs in the long sentence division, it has not been found possible to alter this practice.
73. Mr. HARVEYasked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to provide reasonable facilities for exercise in the open air to all prisoners, even when placed upon punishment diet and ordered strict cellular confinement?
§ Mr. BRACEThe punishment of cellular confinement is limited to three days, or, in case of serious prison offences, to fourteen days. It is not imposed on any prisoner until he has been examined and certified by the medical officer. He is visited daily by the medical officer, and if the medical officer at any time considers outdoor exercise necessary it is arranged for at once.