§ 41. Mr. DINGLE FOOTasked the Home Secretary whether it is the practice to withhold from a convict or prisoner on his release from prison any money sent to him anonymously through the prison governor; and, if so, what is the total amount of money detained by the Prison Commissioners in these circumstances during the last three years; and how are these sums ultimately disposed of?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAnybody who wishes to send money to a prisoner for a legitimate purpose without disclosing his name to the prisoner can do so through the Governor or the Prisoners Aid Society. It was, however, found that money was being sent anonymously in circumstances which suggested that the purposes were illegitimate, and for this reason it was necessary to make the rules to which the hon. Member refers. Whenever possible, the money is returned to the sender, but, if the prisoner declines, or is unable, to give an address, it is confiscated. Since this order came into operation in Decembert last, £24 17s. 6d. has been so confiscated and appropriated to Appropriations-in-Aid, but the question is under consideration whether any money confiscated in future cases be given to the organisations which assist prisoners on release.