=249.= With the exception of those specially designated by the commanding officer, no prisoners will be allowed to leave the guardhouse unless under charge of a sentinel and passed by an officer or noncommissioned officer of the guard. The commanding officer may authorize certain garrison prisoners and paroled general prisoners to leave the guardhouse, not under the charge of a sentinel, for the purpose of working outside under such surveillance and restrictions as he may impose. =250.= Prisoners reporting themselves sick at sick call, or at the time designated by the commanding officer, will be sent to the hospital under charge of proper guard, with a sick report kept for the purpose. The recommendation of the surgeon will be entered in the guard report. =251.= The security of sick prisoners in the hospital devolves upon the post surgeon, who will, if necessary, apply to the post commander for a guard. =252.= Prisoners will be paraded with the guard only when directed by the commanding officer or the officer of the day. =253.= A prisoner under charge of a sentinel will not salute an officer. =254.= All serviceable clothing which belongs to a prisoner, and his blankets, will accompany him to the post designated for his confinement, and will be fully itemized on the clothing list sent to that post. The guard in charge of the prisoner during transfer will be furnished with a duplicate of this list, and will be held responsible for the delivery of all articles itemized therein with the prisoner. At least one serviceable woolen blanket will be sent with every such prisoner so transferred. (=A. R. 939.=) =255.= When mattresses are not supplied, each prisoner in the guardhouse will be allowed a bed sack and 30 pounds of straw per month for bedding. So far as practicable iron bunks will be furnished to all prisoners in post guardhouses and prison rooms. (=A. R. 1084.=) If the number of prisoners, including general prisoners, confined at a post justifies it, the commanding officer will detail a commissioned officer as "officer in charge of prisoners". At posts where the average number of prisoners continually in confinement is less than 12, the detail of an officer in charge of prisoners will not be made. =Section 16. Guarding Prisoners.= =299.= The sentinel at the post of the guard has charge of the prisoners except when they have been turned over to the prisoner guard or overseers. (Pars. 247 and 300 to 304.) =(a) He will allow none to escape.= =(b) He will allow none to cross his post leaving the guardhouse except when passed by an officer or noncommissioned officer of the guard.= =(c) He will allow no one to communicate with prisoners without permission from proper authority.= =(d) He will promptly report to the corporal of the guard any suspicious noise made by the prisoners.= =(e) He will be prepared to tell, whenever asked, how many prisoners are in the guardhouse and how many are out at work or elsewhere.=