Written question asked by Linda Riordan (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 October 2008. It was answered by Shahid Malik (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Telephones

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will conduct a review of the cost to prisoners of telephone calls from prisons.

Answer: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) met British Telecom on 17 October to begin negotiations on the cost of prisoner calls following the recommendation made by Ofcom in their investigation into the National Consumer Council super-complaint. NOMS is seeking a reduction in the cost of domestic landline and mobile calls for prisoners, although the provider is not contractually obliged to do so. NOMS will keep Ofcom informed of developments. Planning for the re-tendering project is also under way and we hope that call costs can be reduced under a new contract from April 2011.

Secondary information