Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many mobile phones his Department has provided to prison leavers who do not have access to a phone of their own; and whether his Department has procured sufficient mobile phones to ensure that all such prison leavers are able to have access to one.

As of 1 December, the total number of phones allocated to those in the community and on release from prison was 7,936. Any demand from prison leavers who need a phone will be met.

The phones, which are basic and restricted to calls and text messages only, are provided to offenders who do not have a phone of their own so that their probation officer can contact them during the coronavirus pandemic. It also enables the offenders to stay in touch with other support services, such as accommodation providers, the local council and health services.