HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 c513W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances a visit to a prisoner by a person whose name appears on a correct visiting order(a) may be disallowed and (b) may be considered a threat to security at the prison; and if he will make a statement. [14497]

Miss Widdecombe

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 13 February 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the refusal of visits to prisoners. In general, providing the prisoner is still in that prison and able and willing to receive visitors, bona fide visitors appearing during visiting hours on the day specified will only be denied access for the reasons set out in Standing Order 5A or section 40 and 69 of the Prison Service Manual on Security, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. A visitor would be considered a threat to security if it was thought they were planning to procure the escape of any prisoner or to supply weapons or equipment to assist in an escape. They would be considered a threat to good order and disciple if, for example, it was thought they were trying to smuggle drugs or other illicit items into the prison.