§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on the availability of televisions in prisoners' cells. [152878]
§ Mr. BoatengAccess to in-cell television is an earnable and forfeitable privilege within the Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme, which is intended to motivate prisoners to good behaviour, and to participate in work and constructive activity. Where the technology is available, in-cell television is being used increasingly to provide information to prisoners on developments within the prison, including education courses, visits times, work availability and canteen facilities.
Prisoners with in-cell television pay a weekly charge of £1 per set, and the scheme is broadly self-financing, with the costs of televisions and their replacements, warranties and wall brackets being met from the charge on prisoners.