A justice of the peace F3assigned to any local justice area F2. . . may at any time visit any prison in that F1areaF2. . . and any prison in which a prisoner is confined in respect of an offence committed in that F1areaF2. . . and may examine the condition of the prison and of the prisoners and enter in the visitors’ book, to be kept by the governor of the prison, any observations on the condition of the prison or any abuses.

Nothing in the preceding subsection shall authorise a justice of the peace to communicate with any prisoner except on the subject of his treatment in the prison, F4....

The governor of every prison shall bring any entry in the visitors’ book to the attention of the visiting committee or the board of visitors at their next visit.