HC Deb 18 November 1982 vol 32 c246W
Mr. Pitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the present criteria for the appointment of prison visitors, particularly those criteria which bar persons who have previous convictions.

Mr. Mayhew

There are no formal criteria for the appointment of prison visitors. Applicants are required to give details of any previous convictions. But each case is considered on its merits, and a previous conviction is not necessarily a bar to appointment.