have access to prisoner records. However, at WCP it was noted that a large number of officers and prisoners who worked in the office had access to records. In the event of a security breach or unauthorized access, there would be no means to trace the persons responsible. 9. Medical examination upon admission to a prison SMR 30 requires a medical examination to be conducted by a qualified physician or health care professional of all prisoners upon admission to prison, in order to ascertain their previous medical conditions and medical requirements. The elements a physician or other qualified health-care professional should take note of when examining a prisoner upon admission are specified in SMR 30. SMR 26(1) requires that accurate, up-to-date and confidential individual medical files on all prisoners must be prepared and maintained by the health care service. 73 All prisoners must be given access to their medical files and every prisoner must be allowed to appoint a third party to access their medical file. All such files must be transferred to the receiving institution upon the transfer of the prisoner.74 Domestic legislation also follows this standard: Section 43 of the PO requires every criminal prisoner75 to be examined by the MO as soon as convenient after admission while Section 159 requires the medical examination to be conducted within twenty-four hours of admission. The MO must record the state of the prisoner’s health, and any observations, which the MO thinks fit to record. This must be entered in a book that has to be kept with the Jailor. Additionally, the MO must personally examine all prisoners on the day of their arrival or the following morning, and where convicted prisoners are concerned, record in writing whether the prisoner is fit to do hard or light labour.7677 Section 161 of the SRs requires the MO to measure the weight of every convicted prisoner sentenced for three months or more upon admission of the prisoner. Prisoners received from any infected localities must be isolated until examined by the MO in case of the prevalence of any infectious or contagious disease.78 Moreover, Section 106A (1) of the SRs grants the authority to the SP upon recommendation of the MO to allow a prisoner who is found to be wearing dentures or spectacles or any article of similar nature to use it in prison in the interest of his health and wellbeing.79 73 SMR 2015, r 26 (1). ibid r 26(2), ‘Medical files shall be transferred to the health-care service of the receiving institution upon transfer of a prisoner and shall be subject to medical confidentiality.’ 75 As clarified by the Commissioner of Prisons (Administration/Intelligence and Security), prisoners who committed financial or maintenance offences were previously categorized as civil prisoners. This would be mentioned in the Warrant of Detention itself and domestic legislation specifies the difference in the treatment and privileges of civil prisoners. Hence, the Department of Prisons did not have the authority to categorize inmates as civil or criminal. This practice has however been discontinued by the Courts and all offenders are now treated as criminal prisoners. 76 SRs 1956, s 57. 77 For a detailed discussion, please refer chapter Prison Work. 78 SRs 1956 s 158. 79 ibid s 106A (1). 74 62