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<p>Under the pilot, telephones and basic computers were introduced into prison cells
in two prisons: HMP Wayland and HMP Berwyn. HMP Berwyn already featured both capabilities
when it opened on 27<sup>th</sup> February 2017. Telephones were introduced into HMP
Wayland in December 2016 and computers in January 2017.</p><p>The purpose is for prisoners
to manage some of their own day-to-day tasks that would normally be managed by officers
on paper, freeing up officers to focus their time on the important task of reforming
offenders.</p><p> </p><p>Ministers will need to see evidence that new technologies
have tangible benefits, in terms of improving rehabilitation, cutting crime and protecting
the public before making any further decisions.</p><p>The pilot is still running in
both prisons. We are monitoring and evaluating the benefits to assess the impact on
prisoner safety and rehabilitation, and on officers’ ability to do their jobs more
effectively.</p><p>As part of our evaluation of the pilot we are collecting data on
rates of self-harm, assaults and adjudications. We are also collecting qualitative
feedback on the pilot from users of the technology.</p>
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