More prisoners in the United Kingdom will get to say ‘hello’ in their cells, in drive to cut violence
- The number of prisons with phones will rise to 50 by March 2020
- The move is also aimed at improving rehabilitation
Thousands more prisoners will be able to make phone calls from their cells as part of the British government plans to reduce violence and reoffending.
In July, the government announced plans to install in-cell phones in 20 prisons in England and Wales to tackle the flow of illegal mobiles and reduce tension on wings.
Under a further 10-million-pound (US$12.7 million) roll-out, funded by additional money allocated to prisons in the budget, the number of prisons with phones in cells will rise to 50 by March 2020.
Many prisoners queue for public phones on the landings, which can act as a trigger for violence and fuel demand for illicit mobile phones, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said. It hopes the expansion of in-cell phones will also reduce the rates of reoffending, which is estimated to cost 15 billion pounds a year.
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The expansion of in-cell phones aims to also improve rehabilitation by allowing prisoners to make calls in private at a time that fits with their families, thus helping to maintain ties. Last year, a report by Lord Farmer found that good family relationships were “indispensable” to the set of changes the government plans for prisons.
The justice secretary, David Gauke, said: “At this time of year more than any other we’re reminded of the importance of family, and there can be few groups that this applies to more than prisoners.
“In-cell telephones provide a crucial means of allowing prisoners to build and maintain family relationships, something we know is fundamental to their rehabilitation.
“Introducing them to more prisons is a recognition of the contribution I believe in-cell telephones make to turning prisons into places of decency where offenders have a real chance to transform their lives.”
The MoJ added that the phones also provided easier access to support services such as the Samaritans and Mind.
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Authorities have identified the illegal use of mobiles as one of the most significant threats faced by prisons. In the 12 months to March, there were 10,643 incidents where mobile phones were found in prisons, a 15 per cent increase on the previous year.
The government has also introduced body scanners and improved searching techniques to stop mobiles getting in.
All calls on the in-cell phones are recorded and can only be made to a small number of pre-approved numbers. Prisoners will continue to pay to make calls, the MoJ added.
If a prisoner is suspected of using the phone for criminal activity, their calls can be monitored and governors have the power to remove phones from those who have misused them.
