C HAPTER 22. L ETTERS The most practical, and the cheapest, way of maintaining contact when people are apart is usually through the writing and receiving of letters. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS These should be presented to the trainees, allowing sufficient time for comment and question after each one. Conditions may vary from one jurisdiction to another. Discussions on how the principle can be honoured, despite differing circumstances, may prove very interesting for the trainees. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A list of topics is provided in the Manual. Methodology: The trainees should be divided into small groups for discussion. Each group should be given the three topics to discuss. There is no need to report back. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: 39. – The smuggling of items into prisons remains a problem for staff to deal with across all jurisdictions and it is unlikely that even the most draconian measures can assure total success in prevention; 39. – In respect of a small number of high-security prisoners, there may be reason to suspect that attempts may be made through correspondence to: 39. – ● Arrange escape attempts; 39. – ● Cause disorder in the prison; 39. – ● Pervert the course of justice; 39. – Requiring prisoners to open mail in front of staff can act as a deterrent to abuse and can also uncover any attempt to smuggle items into the prison; 39. – Prisoners who are unable to read and write may have their mail dealt with by sympathetic staff or prisoners, but there is scope here for humiliation and exploitation, so the situation should be monitored; 39. – The need to communicate with family and loved ones is often the spur for illiterate prisoners to learn to read and write while in prison; full advantage should be taken of this situation. CASE STUDIES Methodology: A round-table discussion is recommended, with different groups of trainees discussing each case. 115