§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at which prison establishments unconvicted prisoners are not allowed access to a telephone to deal with urgent domestic problems, consult solicitors or approved organisations or arrange bail sureties; if the use of a telephone by such people is a right or a privilege; and at what level of authority within the Prison Service the decision to allow or deny the use of a telephone is made.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThere is no formal provision for such telephone calls in statute or in the prison rules, but any prisoners with unconvicted status may be 535W allowed to make such calls. The initial decision to allow or refuse this facility is normally taken by the wing principal officer, who may refer the case to higher authority: an inmate who is dissatisfied with the decision may put the matter to the governor or to the board of visitors.