§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many prisons prisoners can receive television via satellite dishes; and how many prisons are planning to install such dishes.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison1060W Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. John Marshall, dated 1 November 1994:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about satellite television in Prison Service establishments.106 establishments in England and Wales have the capacity for prisoners to watch television via satellite dishes, during association periods. Prisoners ability to watch television is restricted and tightly controlled by staff. Satellite television is used as an alternative to the previous practice of watching videos. Satellite television is not financed from public funds. It is funded from the establishment general purposes fund, which is derived from the profits of the prison shop and gifts, or from voluntary contributions by prisoners or well wishers.Four further prisons are planning to install this facility.