HC Deb 12 May 1960 vol 623 cc606-7
22. Mr. Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances a prisoner in Durham Prison was ordered to rewrite a letter to his mother in which he complained of prison treatment, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central.

Mr. Vosper

Prisoners are permitted to complain of prison treatment only through one of the official channels or, if dissatisfied with a reply obtained in this way, through a Member of Parliament.

Mr. Short

Is the Minister aware that that I have received another letter from this young man stating that he was not allowed to tell his mother anything about his treatment in prison and that he was not allowed to ask his mother to contact her M.P. on his behalf? Is it not rather silly that interference should take place with the letters from a young prisoner to his mother?

Mr. Vosper

I do not think so. There are four recognised channels which the prisoner can use to complain about his treatment—to the governor, to the assistant commissioner on his visits, to the visiting committee or by way of petition to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary; and beyond that, once he has exercised one of those rights, to his M.P. I therefore think that he has every facility, which he can and in fact does exercise.

Mr. Short

Is the Minister saying that a prisoner cannot comment on his treatment in prison in a letter to his mother?

Mr. Vosper

It depends what the hon. Member means by "comment". If it is a matter of complaint, then he has these recognised channels which I think he should follow.