Latest Public Sector News

04.11.19

First prisons get new security equipment

As part of the government’s £100 million prison security package seven jails are set to obtain advanced new equipment to tackle the smuggling of drugs, phones and weapons behind bars, in a bid to make our prisons a safer place.

The chosen prisons have been prioritised as they face significant security challenges and the new measures and set to be in place by spring 2020 will make a significant difference to the stability of each jail.

Berwyn, Bristol, Hewell, Lancaster Farms, Leeds, Liverpool and Norwich jails are the first to benefit from the Government’s recently announced £100 million investment in prison security with the measures set to be introduced in other prisons across the estate.

The new security will take on the airport style, with X-ray baggage and metal detection equipment. Stepping up searching of visitors and staff on entry to jails, enforced by specially-trained officers.

These new measures come as part of a wider package of measures including X-ray body scanners for offenders and drug-detection kits to identify and deter attempts to smuggle narcotics, such as Spice, through prisoner mail.

Together with advancing security at the prison gate and reception the £100 million investment includes a new digital forensics facility, expanded digital investigations team and phone-blocking technology to crackdown on the organized crime behind bars that fuels violence and self-harm.

Prisons Minister, Lucy Frazer QC MP said: “The gate and reception are key areas of vulnerability to smuggling and more robust searching of staff, visitors and prisoners will help reduce the flow of drugs, phones and weapons.

“This game-changing package of equipment is part of the Government’s new £2.75bn investment to modernise and maintain our prisons, create 10,000 additional places, and crack down on crime behind bars.

“All of these elements are crucial as we create a system that can rehabilitate, cut reoffending and ultimately make our communities safer.”

 

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