§ 16. Mr. THOMAS COOKasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that women visitors were shown over Dartmoor Prison last Friday night, 29th April; whether he will state the circumstances in which permission was given for this visit; and whether similar visits are permitted in the case of all convict prisons?
Mr. STANLEYYes, Sir. Parties of visitors, including some ladies, were taken round parts of the prison buildings on 27th and 29th April, but the visits took place at a time when the prisoners were in their cells and the visitors did not come in contact with prisoners. Grants of permission to visit prisons are closely restricted because of the objection to subjecting prisoners to observation by visitors.