§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what circumstances denial of access to television viewing for those serving prison sentences is used as a penalty for bad behaviour.
§ Baroness BlatchResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter to Lord Marlesford front the Director of Personnel Centre, HM Prison Service, Mr. A. J. Butler, dated 28 February 1995.
Lady Blatch has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the circumstances in which denial of access to television viewing for those serving prison sentences is used as a penalty for bad behaviour.
Denial of access can result from the disciplinary punishment of forfeiture of privileges. This can be imposed by a governor for up to 28 days on any prisoner guilty of an offence under the Prison Rules. The maximum period is 14 days for young offenders. The 93WA punishment can include forfeiture of association time, which is when most viewing takes place, and of personal possessions, which can include a prisoner's own television set, where this is currently allowed. Denial of access will also result from the disciplinary punishment of cellular confinement for a maximum of 14 days in adult prisons and seven days for young offenders.
In prisons where incentive schemes operate, there may also be differential access to television depending on the prisoner's level in the incentive scheme.