§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have video players-recorders available to prisoners; how much equipment is available in each such prison; how many prisoners have access to such equipment; on what terms; if any control is exercised over the selection of material for use on such equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe information readily available is as follows. One hundred and seven prison service establishments have been provided with one or more video cassette recorders for educational use in classrooms. In addition about 70 establishments have one or more recorders for recreational use. The selection of material for recorders for recreational use is a matter for local staff, though in some cases inmates are members of joint staff/inmate film committees. All recorders are operated by, or under the supervision of, prison staff. Centralised video facilities are being installed in new establishments and in suitable existing ones.