Cardphones (Prisons)

Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on allowing cardphones to be available at a prisoner's own expense for use in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will list the prisons where such a scheme now exists.

Mrs. Rumbold
We believe that the use of cardphones by prisoners is an important way of sustaining relationships with family and friends and relieving stress during the time in custody, and can help prisoners to prepare for release.Cardphones are now available for the use of prisoners at all the establishments listed in the table. This includes all open establishments and almost all category C and equivalent female and young offender establishments; the installation of phones is in progress at the remainder. In addition a trial is under way at Winchester under which unconvicted prisoners have access to cardphones. The trial will shortly be extended to Manchester prison.

HM Prison Service establishments with cardphones for the use of prisoners AcklingtonAldingtonAshwellAskham GrangeBlantyre HouseCamp HillCampsfield HouseChannings WoodCookham WoodDeerboltDoverDrake HallEast Sutton ParkEastwood ParkErlestokeEverthorpeFeatherstoneFelthamFordGlen ParvaGloucesterHaslarHatfieldHaveriggHighpointHollesley Bay ColonyHuntercombe and Finnamore Wood CampKirkhamKirklevingtonLancasterLeyhillLittleheyLowdham GrangeMorton HallThe MountNorthallertonNortheyeNorth Sea CampNorwichOnleyRanbyRisleyRochesterRudgateSendShepton MalletSpring HillStaffordStoke HeathStyalSudbury/Foston HallThorn CrossThorp ArchUskThe VerneWaylandWellingboroughWerringtonWetherbyWhattonWinchesterWymott