- thirty-seven PS2; - sixteen PS1; - eight Game Cubes. This list, drawn up in the form of a table, includes the prisoner’s prison number and name, the nature of the console and its reference, the date of purchase, the cell number and comments (transfer, placing of items with prisoners’ stored property, restitution, gift etc.). So-called “new generation” consoles are prohibited in the detention centre, in accordance with the DAP circular of 13th October 2009 concerning access to IT facilities for persons in custody. Prisoners are allowed to have authorised consoles brought in (PS1, PS2 and Game Cube), by means of the visiting rooms, which then undergo IT controls and have seals placed on them. The institution authorises gifts of games consoles, though not of computer hardware, between prisoners at the time of their release, with the express agreement of the director of the detention centre. Thus, according to the abovementioned list, four prisoners possess games consoles given to them by released prisoners. “The CGLPL acknowledges the putting in place of these two procedures, which allow prisoners to make up for the impossibility of purchasing new games consoles and thus have the benefit thereof in detention. However, in the absence of confirmed risks for the security of institutions, the CGLPL recommends that prisoners should be left the possibility of acquiring second hand games consoles and so-called “new generation” games consoles.” The purchase of games for consoles is managed by the property office whereas the CLSI is in charge of peripherals (joysticks). The institution authorises the purchase of computers for playing games in cases where it is not possible to find a games console that corresponds to the security criteria issued by the prisons administration department circular of 13th October 2009 concerning access to IT facilities for persons in custody. The inquirers were informed that games distributed free of charge by magazines or requiring activation via Internet are placed with prisoners’ stored property. The CGLPL recommends that the CLSI should carry out the activation via Internet connection of games and software – authorised by the DAP circular of 13th October 2009 – supplied with specialised magazines. An “IT Department” letter box has been installed in the detention centre for two months, in order to receive requests from prisoners: applications for authorisation of gifts between prisoners or for the restitution of computer hardware, various questions (state of progress of orders, lateness etc.). The CLSI then sends a reply to the prisoner by letter, including the requested information. The installation of a terminal was scheduled for 23rd April, in order to begin putting an electronic liaison register (CEL) in place. It is nevertheless specified that in case of dispute, copies of both the request and the reply are made and placed in the personal IT dossier of the prisoner concerned. The inquirers were able to ascertain that certain requests had indeed been included in the dossiers consulted on-site. The placing of a letter box at prisoners’ disposal, which is reserved for the IT department, is a positive measure. According to testimonies gathered by the inquirers and requests sent to the Contrôleur général, prisoners experience difficulties in being granted interviews with the staff in charge of IT facilities in the detention centre. It was not possible to verify these assertions. The latter declares that within the framework of his activities he moves about the passageways of the accommodation buildings on a daily basis and replies to requests from prisoners who speak to him. Procedures for acquisition and use of computer hardware A personal dossier is opened for each prisoner, either at the time their arrival in the institution in cases where they already own computer hardware, or at the time of the acquisition of such equipment. The minimum content of this dossier is an application form “application for acquisition or use of computer hardware and games consoles in cells” completed by the prisoner. In particular, the latter has to set out the prisoner’s reasons for wanting to use or acquire such 92