§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether boards of visitors at Her Majesty's prisons exercise a function independent of the Home Office; and whether they are bound by directives issued by the Prison Department of the Home Office as to interpretation of the Prison Rules.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe principal function of a board of visitors is to exercise an independent judgment on the administration of its establishment.
716WWhere the Prison Rules envisage that directions by the Secretary of State shall registration officer may require a person govern the exercise by a board of the responsibilities, such directions are given and are binding. In all other respects it is for boards to decide whether to act on advice or guidance issued by the Home Office.