28 September 2012

Prison Security Bolstered with New TV Rental Scheme

“Corrections is to introduce a new system to control television access for prisoners which would address contraband issues,” says Brendan Anstiss, General Manager, Corrections Services.

“This will involve charging prisoners a fee per week for the privilege of hiring a television from the Department to replace any televisions they currently have.”

Prisoners are currently allowed to bring in their own television set once they have gone through an approval process. Each set is deconstructed to ensure there is no contraband hidden inside and reassembled before it is passed back to the prisoner and allowed in a cell.

This takes time and some modern TVs now offer direct access to internet and other media, at odds with the proper running of prisons.

Shortly prisoners will only be allowed an approved TV in their cells. It is intended that TV sets will be see-through, using clear plastic so illicit and illegal items cannot be easily hidden inside, and secure so there is no access to the internet, or inappropriate use of USB ports and the like.

Corrections is calling for television manufacturers and suppliers to submit a proposal to supply the TVs. The request for proposal (RFP) will be available on the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) website at gets.govt.nz from Monday 1 October.

Mr Anstiss says the cost of introducing the new sets will be met by a weekly charge paid by prisoners, and is expected to be cost neutral for the Department in around two years. Any surplus funds will be used for educational purposes.

“These changes will allow us to increase the control of which free-to-air channels prisoners can access.

“There will also be two dedicated Corrections channels, which in time, will deliver education and rehabilitation content.

“Overall, this initiative will not only enhance the security of our prisons but also contribute to our goal of reducing re offending,” Mr Anstiss said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media