§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the decision on articles permitted to be retained in prisons is left to the governors; whether they realise that this causes unnecessary problems when a prisoner is moved from a prison where a particular article is allowed to one where it is not; and whether they will compile and publish lists centrally, giving details of articles allowed at each type of prison.
§ Lord BelsteadThe articles which governors may allow prisoners to retain in prison are set out in Prison Standing Order 4. Governors have discretion to allow additional articles: the reason for this is to provide such flexibility in the interests of inmates as is consistent with other considerations concerning the management of the system. It has been agreed, however, that in dispersal prisons governors will allow only possessions on a common list, which is regularly reviewed. I will send the noble Lord a copy.