§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has plans to enable category C prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Haverigg, to receive fortnightly visits;
(2) what criteria were used in deciding that category C prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Haverigg are allowed only one visit per month; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe frequency of visits to convicted prisoners above the minimum of one visit (of at least half an hour) every four weeks is a matter for the discretion of governors, who are, however, encouraged to permit visits as frequently as circumstances at their establishments allow. At Her Majesty's prison, Haverigg the visits may last up to two hours and additional visits above the minimum are permitted in exceptional circumstances, but fortnightly visits are not practicable.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to increase the number of letters per week which category C prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Haverigg are allowed to write; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorUnder present arrangements inmates at Her Majesty's prison, Haverigg are allowed to send one letter per week at public expense and two letters per week paid for from prison earnings.
Last April the censorship of letters to and from inmates in open establishments was reduced and the restriction on the number of letters which they could send and receive were removed. In the light of experience of these changes we shall be considering in due course how far changes of this kind might be made in category C establishments.