Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government in which prisons prisoners can access video calls; and what is the level of provision of facilities to make such calls in each of those prisons.

The Government recognises the importance of maintaining family ties and following the cancellation of social prison visits it has moved quickly to keep prisoners in touch with their family members by other means.

Following a successful trial at HMP Berwyn, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is introducing secure video calling to prisons and young offender institutions (YOIs) across England and Wales to maintain vital family contact for prisoners and young offenders during the coronavirus pandemic.

As of 5 June we have deployed equipment to 20 establishments. (HMP Berwyn, HMP Bronzefield, HMP Buckley Hall, HMP Chelmsford, HMP Deerbolt, HMP Downview, HMP Durham, HMP Eastwood Park, HMP Full Sutton, HMP Garth, HMP High Down, HMP Hull, HMP Send, HMP Stocken, HMP Swinfen Hall, HMP Wayland, HMYOI Cookham Wood, HMYOI Feltham,HMYOI Werrington, HMYOI Wetherby).

Details of establishments where families can book calls is updated as they go live on GOV.UK and social media for families. The level of provision to offer calls will differ by establishment based on local circumstances.