Computers to be put in all prison cells

Seven cells are already fitted with a new Axel Thin Client terminal, which double up as a television screen, for basic tasks and learning. The computers do not have access to the internet.

The prison service began installing the screens last year, paid for by profits from the canteen, and all cells will be fitted with the new screen to replace the existing television within the next month.

An initial cost of £87,500 for the screens will be paid in three yearly instalments, with a one-off installation fee of around £20,000 paid to connect the computers to its education system.

Annual maintenance fees of £8,700 are expected and all the money has been paid from the prison’s own fund.

Cabling was installed in 2014 along with the in-cell telephone lines to allow for the computers to be installed at a later date.

‘In-cell telephones allow prisoners to call a limited number of contacts as pre-arranged with prison officers using phone credit administered via personal accounts. These calls are recorded,’ said a prison spokesman. ‘Limited amounts of money can be loaded into the prisoner’s personal account by friends and family or earned by working at various jobs within the prison. It is then spent either at the prison shop or on phone credit.’

Goods are purchased by the prison at wholesale rates and sold on to prisoners at the retail value.

The computer scheme gives prisoners responsibility for aspects of prison life, said deputy governor Lou Arkle.

‘During 2017, further network and cabling works were completed in conjunction with the new education provision to allow for the installation of terminals in all cells.

‘As well as providing a central point for information about prison life and processes, these terminals will give prisoners the responsibility to manage aspects of prison life that would normally be administered by staff, including management of their applications for items such as phone credit and in time their canteen spends etc.

‘This will make processing times much shorter and more efficient and allow prisoners to add credit onto their phone during times of lock-up. Prisoners will also be able to access their educational work and assignments from their cells, enabling them to make the most of their classroom sessions with their tutors.

‘The prison and its contractor have liaised with the States of Guernsey information technology section from the outset of the project to ensure the safety of the systems against potential hacking and to ensure that we have the correct computers to serve the purpose. The system has been rigorously tested, there is no internet connection provided and a separate server is used to link the education system to the in-cell terminals for added security,’ she said.