text: Chapter 3
  COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE EXTERIOR
  3-92. A point of immediate concern for POWs is their communication with others outside the camp. Once
  POWs have fallen into the hands of a detaining power, that power must inform the POWs, and the powers
  upon which the POWs depend of the measures taken to ensure compliance with the GPW. POWs may write
  to their families and to the Central Prisoners of War Agency informing them of their capture, mailing address,
  and state of health (GPW art. 70).
  CORRESPONDENCE AND CONSIGNMENTS
  3-93. POWs may send and receive letters and cards, subject to security requirements. Electronic means,
  including voice and video conferences, should be considered as time, resources, and circumstances permit.
  If the detaining power deems it necessary to limit such correspondence, it may not restrict any POW to
  sending fewer than two letters and four cards monthly, conforming as closely as possible to the models
  annexed to the GPW, not including capture cards sent to satisfy the notification referenced in the previous
  paragraph and certain other correspondence the GPW authorizes without counting against any prisoner
  correspondence quota (see DOD Law of War Manual, 9.20.2.1). The protecting power may permit further
  limitations only in the interests of the POWs concerned based on the detaining power’s inability to find
  sufficient qualified linguists to carry out the necessary censorship. As a general rule, the correspondence of
  POWs shall be written in their native language although the parties to the conflict may allow correspondence
  in other languages. In cases of urgency or of POWs having difficulty communicating with their next of kin,
  the POWs affected may send telegrams at prisoner expense. Limitations on the correspondence addressed to
  POWs may only be ordered by the power on which the prisoners depend. Such letters and cards must be
  conveyed as rapidly as the detaining power can manage; they may not be delayed or retained for disciplinary
  reasons (GPW art. 71).
  3-94. Censorship of correspondence addressed to POWs or sent by them shall be done as quickly as possible.
  Examination of consignments intended for POWs shall not be carried out under conditions that will expose
  the goods contained in them to deterioration; except in the case of written or printed matter, it shall be done
  in the presence of the addressee, or a fellow POW duly delegated by him or her (GPW art. 76).
  PRISONERS’ REPRESENTATIVE
  3-95. The role of the prisoners’ representative is to represent POWs before the military authorities, the
  Protecting Powers, the ICRC, and any other organization that may assist them. The prisoners’ representative
  shall also further the physical, spiritual, and intellectual well-being of POWs. The prisoners’ representative
  facilitates much of the communication and shipments the GPW authorizes on behalf of POWs. If prisoners
  decide to organize for mutual assistance, their organization will be within the purview of the prisoners’
  representative. Prisoners’ representatives may not be held responsible for any offenses committed by POWs,
  however, simply by reason of their duties. POWs may freely consult their prisoners’ representative. Any
  POW correspondence limits as referenced in paragraph 3-93 shall not apply to correspondence to or from a
  prisoner’s representative as such (GPW arts. 80, 81).
  3-96. The highest ranking military POW officer acts as the prisoners’ representative, assisted by advisers
  chosen by fellow POWs in the camp. In camps without officers, a representative is elected by secret ballot
  every six months. An elected prisoners’ representative must be approved by the detaining power before
  commencing duties as the representative. If the detaining power refuses to approve the elected representative,
  it must inform the protecting power or the ICRC of the reason for such refusal and the prisoners are entitled
  to hold a new election. A prisoners’ representative is to have the same nationality, language, and customs as
  the POWs represented. Thus, a camp having different sections according to differing prisoner nationalities,
  languages, or customs will have multiple prisoners’ representatives (GPW art. 79).
  3-97. The detaining power must provide prisoners’ representatives all facilities necessary to communicate
  with the detaining authorities, the protecting power, the ICRC, and those organizations given to assist POWs.
  Other material facilities shall be granted prisoners’ representatives, particularly sufficient freedom of
  movement to accomplish their duties, such as visits to those premises where POWs are detained, inspection
  of labor detachments, and receipt of supplies. Prisoners’ representatives may appoint assistants they need