HL Deb 04 December 1979 vol 403 c682WA
Lord MELCHETT

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the fact that many justices of the peace are not aware of their right under Section 19 of the Prison Act to visit prisons at any time, they will issue a circular to all magistrates informing them of this right or take other steps to ensure that both existing magistrates and newly-appointed magistrates are informed of this right.

The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)

All newly-appointed magistrates are required as part of their basic training to visit a prison, a borstal and a detention centre, and such visits are also included in programmes for refresher training. Additionally, the right to visit Prison Department establishments is exercised by those justices who are appointed by the Home Secretary to be members of Boards of Visitors and who exercise certain disciplinary functions within those establishments. I do not consider further action desirable at present.