Online video system to help sick and disabled ‘visit’ prisoners

The service will work via a secure video link in the visits hall.

The new system was mentioned in the prison’s delivery plan for 2019.

‘There will be four [computer] monitors available for use during any social visit session,’ prison governor Dave Matthews explained.

‘The secure system will allow for prisoners to have prearranged video visits with their family and friends who may be unable to attend in person due to an illness, disability or who are off-island.’

The cost of the service will be paid for by the visitor.

All communications made from the terminals will be securely encrypted with a unique facial recognition system.

The system will detect and confirm the identity of the visitor before the call is connected and reconfirm their identity sporadically during the call.

‘This links to the Policy and Resource Plan: Our Place in the World – Centre of Excellence and Innovation,’ Mr Matthews said.

Research has also been carried out by the Ministry of Justice which has shown that community penalties have better outcomes for reducing reoffending compared with short-term prison sentences.

Evidence suggested release on temporary licence had a positive impact on reducing the rate of future offending.

Guernsey prison hoped developing an early conditional release scheme and use of electronic monitoring using GPS could improve outcomes of Guernsey offenders.

The Prison and Probation services intend to increase the formal performance monitoring and management arrangements with prisoners on release.

‘It is intended that through working with Probation and utilising offender supervisors within the prison, we will monitor prisoners’ progress against employment, education and training objectives following release and will have three-, six- and 12-month follow-up periods,’ the delivery plan stated.

‘This, along with the collation of more detailed reoffending statistics, will inform strategies on rehabilitation and resettlement processes.’