Linked Data API

Show Search Form

Search Results

1682234
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2024-01-15more like thismore than 2024-01-15
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask His Majesty's Government (1) how many, and (2) what proportion, of prisons in England and Wales currently provide secure video calls for prisoners. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester more like this
uin HL1567 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2024-01-29more like thismore than 2024-01-29
answer text <p>All prisons (100%) across England and Wales have the capability to offer secure video calls with approved family members and friends, responding to demand from prisoners.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Bellamy more like this
question first answered
less than 2024-01-29T18:00:29.173Zmore like thismore than 2024-01-29T18:00:29.173Z
answering member
4941
label Biography information for Lord Bellamy more like this
tabling member
4540
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester more like this
1471430
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2022-06-17more like thismore than 2022-06-17
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will increase the current entitlement of prisoners to make video calls. more like this
tabling member constituency Lewisham West and Penge more like this
tabling member printed
Ellie Reeves more like this
uin 20287 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2022-06-27more like thismore than 2022-06-27
answer text <p>We remain committed in continuing to offer social video calls, as we have clear evidence that these, alongside face-to-face visits, telephone calls, voicemail and email, help maintain contact with families and significant others. Maintaining such ties is not only important for the well-being of prisoners but has also been shown to reduce reoffending.</p><p>At present, we are operating this offer in accordance with our interim policy which enables one free 30-minute call per prisoner, per month. Additional calls are also available at the discretion of Governors.</p><p>A longer-term policy is being developed to support our commitment to sustaining social video calling and we are considering options in line with our commitments in the Prison Strategy White Paper.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle more like this
answering member printed Victoria Atkins more like this
question first answered
less than 2022-06-27T15:38:19.957Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-27T15:38:19.957Z
answering member
4399
label Biography information for Victoria Atkins more like this
tabling member
4620
label Biography information for Ellie Reeves more like this
1454347
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2022-03-25more like thismore than 2022-03-25
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what amount of entitlement to free video calls prisoners receive; and how that amount was decided. more like this
tabling member constituency Lewisham West and Penge more like this
tabling member printed
Ellie Reeves more like this
uin 147092 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2022-04-04more like thismore than 2022-04-04
answer text <p>Secure social video calling was introduced in all prisons across England and Wales as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain family ties when social visits were limited in prisons. To offer fair and equal access, all prisoners are offered one 30-minute video call per month at no cost to them or their families as an alternative form of social contact. Additional video calls may also be offered at local discretion.</p><p> </p><p>We are committed to continue providing secure social video calling as an additional method of communication, in line with our commitment in the Prisons Strategy White Paper and we will use lessons learnt from the roll out during the pandemic to inform future long-term policy direction.</p> more like this
answering member constituency Louth and Horncastle more like this
answering member printed Victoria Atkins more like this
question first answered
less than 2022-04-04T09:26:18.42Zmore like thismore than 2022-04-04T09:26:18.42Z
answering member
4399
label Biography information for Victoria Atkins more like this
tabling member
4620
label Biography information for Ellie Reeves more like this
1253983
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-11-19more like thismore than 2020-11-19
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text To ask Her Majesty's Government which prisons currently have video calling facilities to allow people in prison to maintain contact with family members; what plans they have, if any, to expand such facilities across the prison estate; and what the cost of video calls will be under any such plans. more like this
tabling member printed
The Lord Bishop of Gloucester more like this
uin HL10509 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-12-03more like thismore than 2020-12-03
answer text <p>We recognise that family contact provides a crucial lifeline for prisoners. Following the re-imposition of national restrictions on 5 November, we have paused face-to-face social visits in prisons in England, except on compassionate grounds, including visits to children in custody. Family visits in Wales are permitted in line with restrictions in the community, although in some establishments with active outbreaks they have been temporarily suspended on public health grounds. We will reintroduce face-to-face social visits as soon as safe to do so, guided by public health advice alongside an operational assessment of what can safely be implemented.</p><p>For those prisons that do not have access to in-cell telephony, we introduced over 1,500 secure mobile handsets which can be used to contact family and friends via the usual PIN phone system. In addition, the Prison Voicemail service and Email a Prisoner service are available in all prisons. There are also further initiatives such as unmarked letter writing resources, ‘Bedtime Stories’ which allow residents to record themselves reading a story to their child, and opportunities to make items that they can send to them.</p><p>Secure video calls provide another option for families, including those with children of all ages, to stay in touch. Arrangements for secure video calls have been introduced in virtually all prisons across England and Wales. Details of which prisons are operating live services for families and friends can be accessed on GOV.UK. The remainder of the estate is expected to have these facilities by the end of December. We have committed to the fact that there will be no cost of video calls to either families or those in custody during this time. At the appropriate time, we will consider future options for video calling across the estate beyond Covid-19 restrictions.</p><p>We continue to learn lessons from this to inform both the current service and longer-term planning in line with the recommendations of Lord Farmer’s reviews for maintaining family ties.</p>
answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook more like this
grouped question UIN HL10508 more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-12-03T17:56:21.943Zmore like thismore than 2020-12-03T17:56:21.943Z
answering member
4553
label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook more like this
tabling member
4540
label Biography information for The Lord Bishop of Gloucester more like this
1241778
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-10-08more like thismore than 2020-10-08
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisons in England and Wales have a prison video link. more like this
tabling member constituency Stockton North more like this
tabling member printed
Alex Cunningham more like this
uin 101003 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-10-16more like thismore than 2020-10-16
answer text <p>101 sites across the men’s, women’s and youth custody estate have at least one prison video link. Work is in hand with the aim of equipping all prisons with video links by the end of this financial year, subject to any unforeseen impacts of Covid-19.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire more like this
answering member printed Lucy Frazer more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-10-16T11:27:05.633Zmore like thismore than 2020-10-16T11:27:05.633Z
answering member
4517
label Biography information for Lucy Frazer more like this
tabling member
4122
label Biography information for Alex Cunningham more like this
1238817
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-09-29more like thismore than 2020-09-29
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, which prisons did not have secure video calling technology being used by prisoners as of 28 September 2020. more like this
tabling member constituency West Ham more like this
tabling member printed
Ms Lyn Brown more like this
uin 96822 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-10-07more like thismore than 2020-10-07
answer text <p>We fully acknowledge the importance of family contact for those in custody, in line with the recommendations of Lord Farmer’s Reviews. This is why, following the necessary suspension of prison visits in March to keep prisoners, their families and staff safe during the pandemic, we introduced a range of measures including the introduction of secure video calls.</p><p>As of 28 September, we have live services operating in 103 out of the 110 establishments in scope of the roll-out. The seven prisons which have not yet been able to go live are: HMPs Hollesley Bay, Kirkham, Leyhill, Swaleside, The Mount, Warren Hill and, Oakhill Secure Training Centre. These establishments have all taken receipt of the necessary equipment and staff have been trained. However, they have experienced networking and connectivity issues and, in some cases, have had to wait for broadband upgrades to the establishments as a whole. They are currently undertaking test calls and expect to go live as soon as possible.</p>
answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire more like this
answering member printed Lucy Frazer more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-10-07T16:01:53.86Zmore like thismore than 2020-10-07T16:01:53.86Z
answering member
4517
label Biography information for Lucy Frazer more like this
tabling member
1583
label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown more like this
1203009
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-11more like thismore than 2020-06-11
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the announcement on 15 May 2020 to introduce video calling in the absence of family visits to prisons, when his Department plans to roll out video calling to the remainder of prisons in England and Wales. more like this
tabling member constituency Birmingham, Selly Oak more like this
tabling member printed
Steve McCabe more like this
uin 58630 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-18more like thismore than 2020-06-18
answer text <p>We have introduced temporary emergency video calling in recognition of the<br> importance of maintaining family contact while social visits have been temporarily suspended in<br> prisons in England and Wales. We have published information regarding the provision of video<br> calls on GOV.UK and made clear we will continue to expand secure video calling to more establishments during this time. Details of which prisons are operating live services for families and friends can be accessed via the following link;</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-a-prisoner-using-a-video-call" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-a-prisoner-using-a-video-call</a><br> <br> At the appropriate time, we will consider future options for video calling beyond<br> Covid-19 restrictions.</p> more like this
answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire more like this
answering member printed Lucy Frazer more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-18T15:15:48.79Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-18T15:15:48.79Z
answering member
4517
label Biography information for Lucy Frazer more like this
tabling member
298
label Biography information for Steve McCabe more like this
1200752
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-04more like thismore than 2020-06-04
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government when they intend to make the provision of secure video calls in prisons subject to a competitive procurement following the current pilot. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Garnier more like this
uin HL5294 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-16more like thismore than 2020-06-16
answer text <p>We have introduced a temporary emergency video calling solution in recognition of the importance of maintaining family contact while social visits have been temporarily suspended in prisons in England and Wales. We have committed to the fact that there will be no cost of video calls to either families or those in custody during this time. At the appropriate time, we will consider future options for video calling across the estate beyond Covid-19 restrictions, which may include a competition for such services.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie more like this
grouped question UIN HL5295 more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-16T16:45:17.777Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-16T16:45:17.777Z
answering member
4538
label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie more like this
tabling member
337
label Biography information for Lord Garnier more like this
1200753
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2020-06-04more like thismore than 2020-06-04
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 2 more like this
legislature
25277
pref label House of Lords more like this
question text Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to require prisoners or their families to pay for secure video calls; and if so, (1) from when, and (2) what the charge for a call will be. more like this
tabling member printed
Lord Garnier more like this
uin HL5295 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2020-06-16more like thismore than 2020-06-16
answer text <p>We have introduced a temporary emergency video calling solution in recognition of the importance of maintaining family contact while social visits have been temporarily suspended in prisons in England and Wales. We have committed to the fact that there will be no cost of video calls to either families or those in custody during this time. At the appropriate time, we will consider future options for video calling across the estate beyond Covid-19 restrictions, which may include a competition for such services.</p> more like this
answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie more like this
grouped question UIN HL5294 more like this
question first answered
less than 2020-06-16T16:45:17.917Zmore like thismore than 2020-06-16T16:45:17.917Z
answering member
4538
label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie more like this
tabling member
337
label Biography information for Lord Garnier more like this
1000223
registered interest false more like this
date less than 2018-11-02more like thismore than 2018-11-02
answering body
Ministry of Justice more like this
answering dept id 54 more like this
answering dept short name Justice more like this
answering dept sort name Justice more like this
hansard heading Prisons: Video Conferencing remove filter
house id 1 more like this
legislature
25259
pref label House of Commons more like this
question text To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the merits of using video technology to allow relatives and friends to speak to convicted prisoners at appointed times. more like this
tabling member constituency Hendon more like this
tabling member printed
Dr Matthew Offord more like this
uin 187327 more like this
answer
answer
is ministerial correction false more like this
date of answer less than 2018-11-12more like thismore than 2018-11-12
answer text <p>Visits play an important part of reducing reoffending as good relationships with family and friends is proved to reduce risk of reoffending.</p><p>The management and guidance for the use of closed visits is within Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 15/2011. The PSI specifies that closed visits should be imposed where there is an identified risk of smuggling prohibited items.</p><p>We recognise the benefits that Internet Based Video Services (IBVS) can provide in assisting prisoners with maintaining family ties. At present, however, prisoners are not allowed to use an IBVS as a way of communicating, due to operational concerns about the control measures available to safeguard the use of such communications. Work is currently underway to explore the options for the use of IBVS in establishments with strict safeguards in place, and the possibility of making greater use of such within prisons in the near future.</p><p> </p> more like this
answering member constituency Penrith and The Border more like this
answering member printed Rory Stewart more like this
grouped question UIN 187326 more like this
question first answered
less than 2018-11-12T17:14:17.667Zmore like thismore than 2018-11-12T17:14:17.667Z
answering member
4137
label Biography information for Rory Stewart more like this
tabling member
4006
label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord more like this