Inmates get cell phones in trial

Inmates already have satellite TV and DVD players in their cells

Inmates at a Nottingham jail are to have phones installed in their cells.

Prisoners at privately-run Lowdham Grange already have satellite television, DVD players and showers in their cells.

Now, in a trial scheme, they will be able to make calls at predetermined times of day.

Prison director Guy Baulf said the project would save money because inmates could be locked up earlier which would save on staff costs.

We think it's the decent way of treating people who are locked up Guy Baulf, prison director

Lowdham Grange opened in 1998. It is a category B training prison for men and has a capacity of 564. It is operated and managed by Serco Ltd.

Mr Baulf said telephones had already been installed in most of the 500 cells.

"We think it's the decent way of treating people who are locked up," he said.

"Most people want to believe that we look after our prisoners with compassion and decency, and that's what we're trying to establish here.

"It's reduced bullying in the queues and intimidation that was happening before. It allows people to re-establish communication with their family and friends, and they can talk privately."

Behaviour change

Prisoners are allowed to make calls but not receive them in their cells and they will be able to make calls only to numbers which have been pre-approved by the prison director or controller.

"These people have got to come out of prison one day and if they come out tainted and treated badly, there's no chance of rehabilitation and reducing their offending.

"We've got an opportunity here to change their behaviour and I think this is all part of trying to make them responsible people to engage in a sensitive and proper society.

"I've spoken to other governors and they believe that there could be some merit to the scheme."

A Home Office spokesman said: "This is a matter for Serco.

"This is just a trial and there are currently no plans in place to provide in-cell phones in any of our public-sector prisons."