§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received from the Prison Officers' Association regarding pay telephones for prisoners; and what has been his reply;
(2) how many pay telephones are installed in prisons for the use of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the Government's intentions in this matter.
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§ Mr. BrittanOne pay telephone has been installed at Kirkham open prison on an experimental basis. Prisoners may use their earnings to dial outgoing calls during specified times in the evening and at weekends. Incoming calls are not permitted and it is not possible to call the operator or the emergency services. Consideration is being given to extending the experiment to a women's prison and to another men's prison.
The Prison Officers' Association has expressed opposition to an extension of the experiment and the matter is to be further considered in consultation with the association.