Our ref:FOI/57116/08/AL

Dear Mr Stacey,

Freedom of Information Request

I refer to your email of 05 December 2009 requesting the following information:

“I would like to know the procedures that are in place to ensure that serving prisoners have full and unrestricted access to PSI's and PSO's.

Certain PSI's and PSO's (for example, PSI 45/2007) contain template

documents that a prisoner can use. I would like to know what procedures are put in place within the Prison Service so that prisoners have access to it and so they have the ability to duplicate such documents to enable them to take them away for reference purposes, or, as in the case of PSI 45/2007, take them away to complete so that they can make use of the benefits that the PSI provides”.

HM Prison Service has confirmed that a copy of all Prison Service Orders and Instructions are available to prisoners in the library of every prison except where the PSO is restricted for security reasons.

Where a PSO or PSI includes forms, which prisoners need to complete, copies will be provided. In many cases, such as the forms associated with PSI 45/2007, staff will not only supply the form but will also assist prisoners to complete it if required.

Prisoners are not normally allowed to take PSOs and PSIs away from the library as they may be required by other prisoners. Where a prisoner requests a photocopy, they may be required to pay the cost of this.

Prisoners do not normally have access to the Internet, but legal representatives, relatives or friends can download and print PSOs and PSIs from the Prison Service website www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk and send them to prisoners.

I trust you find the above helpful.

If you are unhappy with the result of your request for information, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter by writing to Data Access & Compliance Unit, Information Directorate, Ministry of Justice,1^st Floor - Area C, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely

Amrit Lotay (Ms)

Data Access & Compliance Unit

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