§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will remove the restrictions regarding the number of letters that may be sent or received by prisoners; and if he will increase the number of family visits that may be made to prisoners in order to lessen the strains on a prisoner's marriage and family life.
§ Miss BaconThere are no restrictions on the number of letters and visits which unconvicted prisoners may receive.
Convicted prisoners under present arrangements may write and receive one letter weekly. Since last July they have also been allowed one extra letter each week, provided they meet the cost of postage from their earnings, one corresponding incoming letter being also allowed. Young prisoners are allowed a visit every two weeks and adult prisoners one every four weeks. Governors may also allow an additional letter or visit for welfare reasons, and my right hon. and learned Friend is satisfied that this discretion is exercised with sympathy and understanding.
It is not practicable to extend these facilities further at present because of the limitations of staff and accommodation; but I recognise the importance in particular of family visits in order to 257W preserve prisoners' contacts with their families and am keeping the position under review.