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<p>The department’s technology priority since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak
has been focused on enabling communication between prisoners and their families and
friends.</p><p>Since the beginning of March, this has resulted in the deployment of
over 1000 secure mobile phones to complement existing in-cell telephones and wing
phones.</p><p>We have deployed nearly 250 tablets for compassionate calls across all
public prisons in England and Wales and most significantly we have deployed video
calls across 105 sites to enable an interim alternative whilst face-to-face meetings
were suspended. There are still 7 sites which are yet to have fully operational video
visits, these are being worked on by our teams as a priority. Over 27,000 video calls
have been made so far.</p><p>As announced in June, £20m was secured to increase technology
infrastructure across the estate. This work is enabling additional video-conferencing
facilities and the extension of in-cell technology across sites with existing network
infrastructure.</p><p>This complements existing work to install technology across
the entire youth estate, which will support education and rehabilitation by providing
secure access to appropriate content on laptops via our Content Hub. The Content Hub
provides access to education materials such as maths exercises, books supporting people
learning to read, and specific vocational learning materials (including customer service
skills, food safety awareness, and Khan Academy materials to support people learning
to be electricians).</p><p>During the COVID-19 crisis, additional education services
have been added to the Content Hub, including mindfulness tools, in-cell exercises,
and audio books to support the residents during longer periods in cells. National
Prison Radio shows have also been used to keep residents calm and to reduce frustration.</p><p>The
use of secure technology to enable the safe delivery of education in-cell is a key
part of our strategy to improve rehabilitation, get more prisoners ready for jobs
on release and reduce reoffending. We continue to consider the recommendations of
the Farmer Review when prioritising future deployment of technology.</p>
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