| answer text |
<p>We recognise the importance of positive family contact for all prisoners in custody.
When regime restrictions were introduced in prisons to control the spread of COVID-19
and save lives, we acted quickly to ensure that prisoners could maintain family contact
despite the exceptional circumstances.</p><p> </p><p>Visits in exceptional circumstances
and visits to children in custody continued throughout. Women’s prisons were prioritised
for the roll-out of secure video calling, and additional access to video calls and
phone credit were provided to promote communication with family, especially children.
Closed women’s prisons were also prioritised in the roll out of in-cell telephony.</p><p>
</p><p>We produced tailored guidance for supporting specific groups of people in prison
whose wellbeing may be more impacted by Covid-19 measures, including women. We also
produced a range of products to support Governors in devising and implementing local
safety and welfare plans.</p><p> </p><p>From March 2021, prisons resumed social visits
where it was safe to do so, as they moved to Stage 3 of the National Framework for
Prison Regimes and Services. All prisons are currently offering in-person prison visits
and we continue to maximise the use of video calling to support positive family ties.</p>
|
|
