In a letter dated 5 January 2000, the Prison Service’s Director of Health Care has stated:
“In general prisoners are referred for eye examinations by prison doctors. These are private examinations subject to the standard fee but this can be varied. Individual prisons or groups of prisons may contract with suppliers for a ‘bulk’ number of sessions at a lower rate. Such contracts are negotiated locally.
The cost of spectacles is met by the prison. In general prisoners are expected to wear less expensive spectacles but where there are special needs, including a clinical requirement for contact lenses, these will be met.”
