HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc354-5W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of his reply to the hon. Member for Ormskirk, Official Report, 2 July, volume 987, column 572, he will revise the prison department circular instruction No. 46/1978, which stated that prison department practice differs on policy grounds from that proposed in the standard minimum rules, particularly in relation to prisoners' correspondence and grievance procedures.

Mr. Brittan

No. The intention of the instruction, which was issued when copies of the rules were supplied to prison libraries and to prison governors, was to draw attention to the status of the standard minimum rules and to indicate where our practice differs from them.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the Council of Europe's standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners are not implemented.

Mr. Brittan

Part of standard minimum rule 36 concerned with making requests and complaints and that part of rule 37 which recommends that prisoners should be allowed to communicate with all persons or representatives of organisations. It is also not always possible fully to implement the rules dealing with standards of accommodation and the provision of work.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom a prisoner must apply in order to see or purchase a full copy of the Prison Rules 1964 (S.I. 1964, No. 388) and amendments thereto, and to see the Council of Europe standard minimum rules; what steps are taken to ensure that every prisoner is aware of his or her right; and what special arrangements are made in the case of prisoners who do not understand English.

Mr. Brittan

A prisoner is advised to apply to the wing officer or governor to see or purchase a copy of the prison rules; copies of the standard minimum rules and the prison rules are made available for reference in prison libraries.

Governors are expected to make local arrangements to ensure that prisoners who do not speak English understand their rights.