§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons do not allow magazines to be brought in by visitors to prisoners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe general practice provided for by standing order 4 is that newspapers and periodicals are received direct from publishers, newsagents or booksellers.200W No information is held centrally which would indicate the extent to which governors may exceptionally allow magazines also to be brought in at visits.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have arrangements with neighbouring shops that only magazines ordered through those shops can be supplied to prisoners; what is the financial basis upon which these arrangements are entered into; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorProviding they comply in other respects with the rules governing their receipt by prisoners, newspapers, periodicals and books may be supplied either at the order of a relative or friend of an inmate, or by payment from the inmate's private cash or, through the canteen, from the inmate's earnings. Details of local arrangements for the supply of publications through the canteen could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.