§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will consider introducing for star prisoners the privilege of short, unsupervised visits from next of kin, and increase the number of letters and attendances with next of kin at prison chapels;
(2) if he will, as a measure of rehabilitation, encourage a closer communication between prisoners and their families.
§ Miss BaconCloser communication between prisoners and their families is already encouraged and my right hon. and learned Friend is considering in what ways it can be extended. Visits, even from the next-of-kin of star prisoners, must be supervised in the interests of298W good order and discipline. The allowance of letters has recently been increased. On grounds of security, discipline and accommodation it is not possible to allow all prisoners' families to attend services in prison chapels, but in open prisons and other establishments where arrangements can be made, when members of a prisoner's family make a special request to be allowed to attend a particular service it is sympathetically considered and, if possible, allowed.