IN reply to Mr J Allan regarding visiting people in prison at Preston (Letters, February 4), several years ago I was in a similar situation, standing waiting in the rain for visiting a relation in the prison.

Sometimes, we could wait in a smoky Portakabin if it was unlocked. Sometimes, young mothers were there with their offspring waiting to visit too.

Several times they were heard to ask each other where was their "stuff." One would point to her underwear; the other to the child with them.

This is unfortunately the reason why ordinary, decent people visiting had to be searched and frisked, feeling embarrassed, ashamed and as if they were being punished too.

Some of the prison officers were very nice and some not.

I felt that, if this was how visitors were treated, then how did the prisoners go on, some being on remand, waiting to see if they were to be found guilty and then having to serve their sentence?

We as a family have put this episode behind us, but prison visiting is not for the fainthearted, especially if elderly grandparents insist on being visitors too.

Name and address received.