C HAPTER 24. T ELEPHONES The telephone provides a useful means of maintaining contact with the outside world, particularly when matters must be dealt with urgently. Introduce this chapter drawing attention to the quotation in the Manual from the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS These deal with the obvious usefulness of this means of communication and the possible security considerations that might arise. TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION One overall topic is provided in the Manual. Methodology: A brainstorming session is suggested for the trainees to deal with the topic. The issue is whether access to telephones is beneficial to prisoners, or not. It would be helpful if the main points in the trainees’ comments could be recorded on paper at the front of the class. CASE STUDY Methodology: This should be conducted in a round-table discussion, with trainees volunteering to take part. It is important for the trainer to be aware of those trainees who do not readily volunteer for these tasks, in order to ensure that everyone becomes involved at some point in the training programme. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: 39. – Prison staff may wish to encourage the foreign prisoner to develop further contact with his family; it would be helpful if the reason for the lack of contact could be discovered; 39. – It must be considered as a possibility that the prisoner may prefer not to inform his family about his imprisonment and current location; 39. – A prisoner has a right to contact if he wishes, so it is important that he be allowed the same allocation as local prisoners. If this is insufficient, it is appropriate that the prison authorities make up the difference to fund a monthly call to the family; 39. – Depending on the regulations within the jurisdiction, the prison director may have the discretion to allow a further contact to be paid for by the prisoner himself; two telephone calls a month are barely adequate to maintain meaningful contact; – It is important that foreign prisoners are helped to learn the language of the country in which they are held. Without this facility, all human rights issues are at risk. 39. 120