An MP who wants to stop mobile signals within prison estates to protect victims of crime from intimidation and reduce criminal activity has met with prison bosses to thrash out any potential problems.
Tatton MP Esther McVey is attempting to change the law to stop signals being permitted around prison estates to end the illegal use of contraband.
She visited open prison Thorn Cross in Warrington to talk to the governor about concerns before meeting with officials at the Ministry of Justice – the government department responsible for introducing the change. She had previously visited Styal prison in the constituency to seek views of staff about her proposals.
Ms McVey said: “We have to make sure this is done right and makes a difference. The people best placed to know are the prison governors and they told me of concerns they had and answers they would need before any changes were made. Now I have spoken to the Ministry of Justice who were able to clarify most of the points.
“It is about reducing crime and protecting victims of crime.”
Ms McVey was picked from a ballot of MPs to bring forward legislation of her choice. Most attempts fail as they do not have government backing but the Ministry of Justice has said it supports the move and is working with Ms McVey.
Prison governors wanted reassurances the block could be overridden in case of a riot and mobiles are needed to communicate with authorities, and that any new attempts to block signals do not affect residents close to the prison boundary wall but were more superior to previous failed attempts.
The Ministry of Justice would work directly with the Mobile Network Operators to develop and personalise technology to each prison, and meet its specific needs as opposed to one technology suites all sites.