The government’s new National Offender Management
Service (Noms) is to trial a secure e-mail system for prisoners at
Wandsworth Prison in London as part of its attempt to cut
re-offending rates.
Regular contact with family and friends while inside is seen as
one factor when it comes to prisoners not returning to prison.
The trial e-mail system at Wandsworth may be rolled out to other
prisons if it is successful.
The e-mail network used may only carry plain text messages and
images would be blocked. The messages would also be monitored by
prison staff.
Noms is also planning to roll out a number of on-line learning
courses for prisoners in London, although access to the public
internet may be blocked.
The plans for both initiatives have yet to be finalised by the
Home Office, which oversees Noms’ work.
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