5. CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD because of the “denial of family visits of persons in custody”, stating that it “constitutes, under these circumstances, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in violation of international standards”.269 08 Because they are deprived of their liberty, prisoners must rely on prison authorities to enable and support them to maintain and develop ties with family and friends. Authorities have a responsibility to do this. Authorities should, therefore, be proactive in their efforts and focus on promoting such contact, rather than limiting it. Improving prisoner health and wellbeing 09 There is no doubt that contact with family and friends can be beneficial for prisoners’ psychological health and overall wellbeing. Such contact can alleviate the anxiety a prisoner feels about her or his situation and family responsibilities. Contact is a source of comfort and reassurance, but it can also relieve boredom and provide an avenue for prisoners to express their problems, fears and frustrations. 10 Contact with the outside world provides a degree of normalcy to counter-balance the negative effects of prison life and those who have such contact are likely to cope better with their confinement than those who are more isolated. As such, prison administrations may find that prisoners are easier to manage and suffer from fewer psychological problems, potentially decreasing levels of violence. 11 Regular contact with family or friends can also reduce the likelihood of suicide and self‑harm,270 not only because of the reassurance it provides, but because visitors may recognize early symptoms of depression or other warning signs. Prisoners may also confide in their visitors about physical or mental health conditions. 12 In many countries it is common for visitors to bring prisoners supplies of food, drinks, sanitary items and medicine. While the provision of such supplies is the responsibility of prison authorities, and all prisoners should have equal access to them, the reality is that some prisoners are dependent on visitors to meet their basic nutritional and physical health requirements. PROMISING PRACTICE: FAMILY CONTACT OFFICERS IN SCOTLAND [5.1] In Scotland every prison has a Family Contact Officer, who is responsible for encouraging and maintaining links with families. The main role of the officer is to offer support and advice for relatives who may have concerns about a prisoner.  As well as acting as a liaison point between visitors and prisoners the contact officer can also put visitors in touch with appropriate partner agencies for advice and support.271 5 269 270 271 118 Safeguard against ill‑treatment 13 Contact with the outside world is also a key safeguard against torture and other ill‑treatment. It can prevent human rights violations from taking place, but also provides opportunities for reporting ill‑treatment and for taking action. 14 The knowledge that prisoners have someone to talk to can act as a strong deterrent for torture and other ill‑treatment. Moreover, prison visitors may themselves notice indications of physical ill‑treatment or psychological distress and ask the prisoner what happened. Visitors may be able to alert authorities to the risk of ill‑treatment, or advise the prisoner about the best way to respond. 15 Those who have regular contact with family and friends are also less vulnerable because they are provided with material and psychological support. Because they know they have an outlet for communication they tend to feel, and appear, emotionally stronger which in itself can reduce the risk of ill‑treatment. Even if they feel they cannot complain to the prison administration they can at least confide in someone they trust. 269. UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Report to the Human Rights Council on observations on communications transmitted to Governments and replies received, 12 March 2013, A/HRC/22/53/Add.4, para. 20. 270. See for example: ‘Great Expectations?’: A Review of the Role of Prisoners’ Families in England and Wales, Dr. Alice Mills, University of Southampton, 2005 at www.britsoccrim.org/volume7/001.pdf. 271. www.sps.gov.uk/Families/WhereCanIGetSupport/Family-Contact-Officers.aspx. Guidance document on the Nelson Mandela Rules