PART 8

COMMUNICATIONS

PRISONERS’ CORRESPONDENCE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

Opening and reading of correspondence from and to courts
56
1
This rule applies only to letters and packages which—
a
are addressed to a court and which a prisoner gives to an officer or employee for the purpose of sending to that court; or
b
are sent to a prisoner at the prison by a court.
2
A prisoner who wishes to send a letter or package to a court must mark prominently on the outer face of the envelope or packaging the words “Court Correspondence” as well as the prisoner’s own name.
3
A letter or package to which this rule applies must not be opened by an officer or employee unless—
a
the officer or employee has cause to believe that it contains a prohibited article or unauthorised property;
b
the officer or employee has explained to the prisoner concerned the reason for that belief; and
c
the prisoner concerned is present.
4
The contents of a letter or package to which this rule applies must not be read by an officer or employee.
5
Where a letter or package to which this rule applies is found to contain a prohibited article or any unauthorised property, the Governor must deal with the item in terms of rule 104.
6
For the purposes of this rule, “court” includes, but is not limited to: the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, the Supreme Court, the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and the Parole Board for Scotland.