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<p>HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is taking decisive action to stop mobile
phones from entering prison and, where they do get in, finding them and stopping them
from working.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS already has significant powers to search people
on entry to prison. We are investing £100 million in prison security with tough airport-style
security and X-ray body scanners to detect contraband such as mobile phones, hidden
inside prisoners’ bodies</p><p> </p><p>During a prisoner’s period of detention HMPPS
may conduct searches of the person, property, cell and area searches, aided by dedicated
search teams, metal-detecting scanners and phone detection technology.</p><p> </p><p>To
strengthen HMPPS’ ability to find mobile phones and stop them from working, last year
amendments were made to the Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy Act) 2012.
These amendments would enable public communications providers, such as a mobile phone
network operator, to be authorised to interfere with wireless telegraphy in prisons.
Working with mobile network operators, as industry experts, will place HMPPS in a
better position to develop future-proofed solutions. In addition, Telecommunication
Restriction Orders have allowed HMPPS to block the use of specific mobile phones in
prisons.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, HMPPS’ award winning Digital Investigations
Unit works with prisons to identify offenders accessing websites and shuts their access
down quickly. In 2018, over 594 social media profiles were removed.</p><p> </p>
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