§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on extending payphones in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe believe that the use of cardphones by inmates is an important way of sustaining relationships with family and friends during the time in custody and can help inmates to prepare for release.
797WFollowing the successful introduction of cardphones in open establishments and the current programme of installation at category C and equivalent female and young offender establishments, a pilot scheme to give unconvicted inmates access to cardphones, subject to certain safeguards, will start shortly at Her Majesty's prison Manchester. We hope that, if the trial is successful, cardphones can be extended for the use of unconvicted inmates in all other local prisons and remand centres. There are no plans at present to instal cardphones for the use of category B or category A inmates.