- HMP Berwyn and HMYOI Wetherby among first 10 to benefit
- All calls recorded and restricted to 4 callers
Secure video calls will be introduced to prisons and young
offender institutions (YOIs) across England and Wales to
maintain vital family contact for prisoners and young
offenders during the coronavirus pandemic.
Following a successful trial at HMP Berwyn, Her Majesty’s
Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is installing the
technology at 10 institutions with a wider rollout in the
coming weeks.
The measure is part of wider action to preserve family ties
after social visits in prisons and YOIs were suspended, to
comply with the government’s guidance on controlling the
spread of coronavirus and protecting life.
The new technology builds on the 2017 Lord Farmer
review which found that close bonds between
prisoners and family members can significantly reduce their
risk of reoffending.
Safeguards are in place to prevent misuse with all
participants vetted in advance and calls monitored by prison
staff. The calls will be time-limited and restrictions have
been built into the software to ensure safe use.
Prisons and Probation Minister , said:
Prisoners have seen drastic changes to their daily routines
to protect local health services and save lives.
A part of that has been the loss of social visits –
something we know plays a huge role in prisoners’ wellbeing
and rehabilitation.
It is therefore right that we take proportionate steps to
keep them in touch with their families by other means
during the current pandemic.
Nick Leader, Governor of HMP Berwyn, which is one of the
first jails to benefit from the use family video calls, said:
The introduction of video calls has shown that even in
times of adversity it is possible to develop new and
innovative ways of supporting those in our care.
This technology will support resettlement planning and is a
positive step to improve relations with staff and reduce
the strain introduced by some of the current, but
necessary, restrictions.
The introduction of video calls reflects the government’s
recognition of the importance of maintaining family ties,
particularly at women’s prisons, young offender institutions
and jails without in-cell telephones. In March, ministers
acted quickly to introduce 900 secure phone
handsets which have been rolled out across the
prison estate.
The first institutions to begin video calls are: HMPs Berwyn,
Bronzefield, Downview, Eastwood Park, Garth, High Down, Hull,
Wayland, Werrington and Wetherby. In line with
recommendations from the Lord Farmer review, work was already
underway to explore the use of video calls, and we are
assessing their potential wider use in future.
Video calls will be provided through secure laptops in a
designated room in each institution. Time-limited calls will
be made either by prisoners making a call request to their
designated contact or by families who can request a time slot
through a mobile app or directly with the establishment.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the government has
already taken unprecedented action, including
the temporary release of
risk-assessed prisoners within two months of their
release date and the installation of
hundreds of temporary accommodation units across the
estate.
Modelling from Public
Health England suggests the measures are showing
early signs of effectiveness, with a reduction in the rate of
infection in prisons.
