§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are(a) the costs, (b) the purposes and (c) the timescale of the contract awarded to BT for new technology phones in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [76664]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe new prisoner telephone system, which is due to be installed in all prisons in England and Wales by May 2000, has the dual purpose of enabling prisoners to maintain their family ties whilst minimising the risk of misuse. The new system is being provided and maintained at no cost to the Prison Service throughout the duration of the ten-year contract.