§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have access to Sky television sports channels for prisoners. [38940]
§ Ms QuinThere is no readily available information about the number of Prison Service establishments which provide Sky television for prisoners, or which of the available channels they subscribe to. Some prisons 535W subscribe to satellite sports channels, and allow prisoners access during set periods of association with each other. The costs are not met from public funds but from a prison's general purpose fund: this is derived from prisoners' own contributions from their prison earnings, and from prison shop profits and external donations.
§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 15 January 1998, Official Report, column 285, and 2 February 1998,Official Report, column 516, when a decision about the future of in-cell television will be made. [38965]
§ Ms QuinThe review of policy in this area is nearing completion, and we hope to make an announcement shortly.