Scotland to Crack Down on Prison Isolation with Mobile Phones
The Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service are set to introduce mobile phones in prisons to keep inmates in touch with their families amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
With visits suspended to protect prisoners, staff, and NHS workers, mobiles aim to boost mental health and wellbeing behind bars.
Strict Controls on Prison Mobiles
Phones will come with tight security measures. Calls can only be made to approved numbers already on prisoner call lists. Outgoing calls will be monitored, but there will be no texting, internet access, or incoming calls allowed.
While the rollout is a priority, several legal, technical, and security hurdles must be cleared first.
Extra Perks to Combat Lockdown Blues
- Additional phone credit for all inmates
- Suspension of TV rental fees
- Expanded in-cell entertainment
- “Email a prisoner” scheme in full swing
- Support for families via partnerships like Families Outside
Ministers and Prison Chiefs Speak Out
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It is important that prisoners and their families are supported while the current prison visit restrictions are in place. Providing a mobile phone for prisoners to contact their families, along with a range of other actions we are taking, will help support the mental health and wellbeing of those in custody.
“We will make sure that the use of mobile phones in prisons is done in a way which is practical and safe – for those in custody, their families, and those in the wider community. The phones will be provided as soon as possible once we have resolved some outstanding issues and established the robust systems necessary to roll out and manage this new communications approach across the prison estate.”
Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service added: “COVID-19 is impacting all areas of life in Scotland, including across our prison estate. We have had to make difficult decisions in the last few weeks in order to prevent the spread of the virus and protect those living and working our prisons.
“The provision of phones for those in custody is a crucial way we can help support and maintain family contact during this time of uncertainty. Social distancing and the need to stay indoors means that everyone is turning to technology as means of maintaining vital contact and the provision of these restricted phones allow that to happen for those in our care.
“I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has announced these plans today and the SPS is working hard to ensure that these can be put in place as quickly as possible.”
Global Trend
Prisons worldwide are taking similar steps to curb coronavirus risks. In some UK jails, mobiles have already been introduced following the suspension of visits.
