to be released. The experience of the Commissioner in this regard has convinced him that the present rule 47(a) is unduly restrictive and it is proposed that the permitted frequency be relaxed to one letter per week. (Rule 2 of the amendment rules refers.)
Financial and staffing implications
13
It is not expected that there will be any financial or staffing implications arising from the proposals relating to the Prisoners Welfare Fund. It is possible that the relaxation of the rules governing letter-writing would result in a small increase in expenditure which is difficult to estimate. If the present frequency with which letters are actually sent were to double, the additional expenditure would be $80,000 per annum.
The Commissioner of Correctional Services believes that because in many cases, prisoners are already allowed to write letters
write letters at frequencies greater than once every two weeks, and because these
these are the very persons most likely to take advantage of the new rules, the actual increase in expenditure would only be a proportion of the above figure.
Legislative timetable
14
Subject to Members' approval of the introduction of this Bill into the Legislative Council, the legislative
timetable will be -
Publication in the Gazette
First Reading and commencement
of Second Reading debate
Resumption of Second Reading
debate
Conclusion of Second Reading debate, committee stage and
Third Reading
13.6.86
25.6.86
to be notified
to be notified
Public reaction
15
The proposed arrangements for the administration of donations received for the welfare of prisoners are unlikely to be of public interest. It is expected that the proposal to increase the frequency with which prisoners may send letters will be welcomed on humanitarian grounds particularly by those who favour a more liberal approach to the rehabilitation prisoners.
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