§ 16. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary how many prison visitors are at present attached to the local and convict prisons, respectively, in England and Wales; what prisons, if any, have no regular prison visitors; whether the introduction of authorised prison visitors has proved beneficial; whether the services of additional prison visitors are desired; and, if so, what are the main qualifications required of such visitors?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe number of persons appointed to visit prisoners in local prisons, and in those convict prisons which are combined with other establishments, is approximately 600. It has not been found necessary to make such appointments at the separate convict prisons at Dartmoor and Parkhurst. There is a sufficient number of visitors; vacancies however constantly arise and are filled by the Prison Commissioners on the recommendation of the governor and visiting committee of the prison. There is no shortage of volunteers for this form of voluntary social work, the results of which have been generally satisfactory. The main qualifications required are of a personal kind, such as common sense, good judgment, knowledge of the world and interest in the work.