Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer has recently announced that the Government will be introducing in-cell technology to children’s prisons in England.
The announcement did not contain information about what type of technology would be used or what security measures would be in place, but the decision is intended to help with education and maintaining family contact. Lucy Frazer said:
“In-cell technology, such as tablets and laptops, has the potential to support the rehabilitative work that already takes place in prison by providing in-cell access to education and other rehabilitation opportunities. Our strategy is informed by the 2007 Farmer Report which highlights the needs of providing contact with families and the link between lack of contact and negative impacts on mental health and potential violence.”
The Prisoner Learning Alliance has been advocating for improved access to digital technology in prisons since long before the current lockdown, which is due to Covid. We welcome this decision and we hope that the government will not stop here, and will introduce in-cell technology to support education and other aspects of rehabilitation in adult prisons.
Read more about PLA’s work advocating for greater access to digital technology in prisons here