USE OF TELEPHONES (OPINION) of distant countries. Calling hours must take into account time differences, in line with the above statements: without this flexibility, the right to call family and friends remains a dead letter. 9/ There is currently no material possibility for spouses or partners who are both imprisoned to communicate by telephone, as it is not possible to place calls to telephone booths in prisons. This barrier must be removed, as, even imprisoned, these persons have equal rights, evidently adapted to the circumstances, to maintain links to family life. More generally, the interest in being able to call a telephone booth inside a prison from the outside, particularly in penal institutions for convicted prisoners, as is possible in waiting areas for example, should be considered. This solution would present advantages in terms of sharing the cost of communication. 10/ Approved numbers must be able to be quickly modified at the request of the prisoner. Thus when a family member or friend is taken to hospital, the delay in authorising calls to the corresponding establishment is currently too long; these delays can be a source of concern in the case of hospitalisation for serious medical conditions or when the correspondent is very elderly. The administration should be able to adapt to these situations and therefore eliminate a source of unnecessary tension. 11/ Some telephone numbers are not taken into account by the telephone software installed. Such is the case for numbers with the prefix 800 or numbers which, once dialled, require additional options to be selected on the dial pad (dial "1" or "2" for such option, for example): this may be the case for numerous service organisations (e.g. employment or credit agencies). Since many steps towards rehabilitation must be undertaken by the prisoners themselves (moreover, due to the workload of integration and probation staff), there is no obstacle in principle to making these numbers accessible, provided of course that they are duly identified. The software should be adapted to this effect. 12/ It should be noted that, while telephone conversations are listened to on principle, some are subject to confidentiality, as the prisons administration has reiterated in its circulars. Institutions should therefore ensure that telephone numbers which trigger the 69