Access to Phones/ iPads/Video Calls/ Regime Mitigations

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09/05/22: Please use the following link to the Post National Framework page for all up to date guidance following the exit of the National Framework

Access to Wellbeing Funds (17.12.2021)

As per the Gold Brief that went out today and the communications from last week – regime mitigations will be introduced nationally as a result of the national move to Stage 3.  As part of this announcement, the £5 weekly PIN Credit will be reinstated (whilst continuing to retain the cap). Credits will be applied nationally from the center with the first credits actioned on Thursday 23 December and will continue to be applied on Thursday’s going forward.

• If your establishment had previously introduced PIN credits in response to local circumstances using local budget it is important that this is no longer implemented at a local level in order to avoid duplication or overpayment once it is introduced centrally (from Thursday 23 December). This national credit supersedes any prisons that have requested the implementation of credit in the last few days as this national introduction will apply across all prisons (including those privately managed).

Secure Video Calls

Video Call Monitoring (13.07.21)

Regime Mitigations

Temporary Mobile Pin Phones

HMPPS have provided temporary mobile PIN phones (TMPPs) to assist in maintaining positive contact between prisoners and their family and friends in the face of COVID related regime restrictions and infection management. These have been provided to establishments without in-cell technology and to sites with temporary accommodations units. The TMPPs have been well received by prisoners and colleagues and to date over 630k calls have been made and monitored appropriately. Usage and users continues to increase with a very low rate of breach. In the face of continuing COVID challenges, it has been agreed that the TMPPs will remain in place until April 2021.

We will now begin to transfer the some monitoring of the TMPPs back to establishments. This has previously taken place offsite, but due to the need to strengthen security and business continuity, a number of establishments will now be required to resume their own monitoring. Installation of the necessary servers and additional cabling will begin in December 2020. Establishments will receive further guidance on this once the required equipment is ready to be installed. We are also taking the opportunity to review monitoring in lower risk groups to ensure limited resources are targeted at highest threats.

Additional guidance has been provided for the safe management of the temporary mobile pin phones for staff anf management:

Access to iPads

iPads were issued to facilitate emergency compassionate contact between residents and family when establishments were unable to escort residents to funerals and/or to see dying relatives. The use of iPads has been extended to allow ‘live-letters’ to be recorded and emailed to family – a short 30 second video of a resident letting family know that they are in good spirits.

iPads now have MS Teams installed and Governors and their teams can use teams to attend meetings, additional iPads were provided to Executive Directors and PGDs to allow them to facilitate meetings with their teams.
We continue to identify other beneficial ways in which the iPads can be used and are working with Psychology Services to consider how iPads might support psychological assessments and other mental health services.

Digital and Technology Purchases

With the current challenges COVID 19 has brought, there has been an increase in establishments looking to locally purchase (or be gifted) non-assured or non-approved hardware or software for use ‘in-cell’ or within prisons. Whilst we remain sympathetic and welcome the innovation colleagues are displaying during these difficult times, maintaining a responsibility to ensure we continue to protect the public continues to be of the upmost importance.

As you will appreciate, the requirement for all IT provision within prisons, and especially that which is placed in a prisoner facing situation, must still undergo the appropriate Information and IT security processes, including that of Information Assurance and IT Security. Prior to committing to any technology purchases or the utilisation of free devices being offered via third party organisations, please ensure the process outlined in the below letter is adhered to.