8. Contact with the outside world European Prison Rules [Recommendation Rec(2006)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the European Prison Rules] Rule 24.1 Prisoners shall be allowed to communicate as often as possible by letter, telephone or other forms of communication with their families, other persons and representatives of outside organisations and to receive visits from these persons. Rule 24.2 Communication and visits may be subject to restrictions and monitoring necessary for the requirements of continuing criminal investigations, maintenance of good order, safety and security, prevention of criminal offences and protection of victims of crime, but such restrictions, including specific restrictions ordered by a judicial authority, shall nevertheless allow an acceptable minimum level of contact. Rule 24.4 The arrangements for visits shall be such as to allow prisoners to maintain and develop family relationships in as normal a manner as possible. Rule 24.5 Prison authorities shall assist prisoners in maintaining adequate contact with the outside world and provide them with the appropriate welfare support to do so. Rule 24.6 Any information received of the death or serious illness of any near relative shall be promptly communicated to the prisoner. Rule 24.7 Whenever circumstances allow, the prisoner should be authorised to leave prison either under escort or alone in order to visit a sick relative, attend a funeral or for other humanitarian reasons. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners [New York 1984] Rule 37 Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate with their family and reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and by receiving visits. Rule 78 Recreational and cultural activities shall be provided in all institutions for the benefit of the mental and physical health of prisoners. Rule 92 An untried prisoner shall be allowed to inform immediately his family of his detention and shall be given all reasonable facilities for communicating with his family and friends, and for receiving visits from them, subject only to restrictions and supervision as are necessary in the interests of the administration of justice and of the security and good order of the institution. 2nd General Report of CPT [CPT/Inf (92)3] § 51 It is also very important for prisoners to maintain reasonably good contact with the outside world. Above all, a prisoner must be given the means of safeguarding his relationships with his family and close friends. The guiding principle should be the promotion of contact with the outside world; any limitations upon such contact should be based exclusively on security concerns of an appreciable nature or resource considerations. The CPT wishes to emphasise in this context the need for some flexibility as regards the application of rules on visits and telephone contacts vis-à-vis prisoners whose families live far away (thereby rendering regular visits impracticable). For example, such prisoners could be allowed to accumulate visiting time and/or be offered improved possibilities for telephone contacts with their families. Executive Penal Code (Dz.U. of 1997, No 90, item 557, as amended) Article 105. (1) A convict shall have an opportunity to keep close ties with family and other close persons by visits, mail, phone conversations, parcels and money orders and, in justified cases, upon the consent of the director of a penitentiary unit, other forms of communication and to facilitate contacts with entities referred to in Art. 38 (1).