Ms Caron McCaffrey:

It is the precursor to looking at what other technology we put into cells. During Covid-19, we introduced an in-cell learning channel. This goes back to giving information to people in an accessible format. A lot of the material we provide to prisoners is in writing, but we know people are very challenged about literacy. We are now delivering messages verbally. That is how people want to receive information now. We are looking at how we can develop that system. It is quite basic, but we tend to start small and grow our ambition. We have proved that it works, and that it is popular with prisoners. It is a way to encourage people who are not engaging in education and work training by providing education and mental health material. Psychology has videos. We have mindfulness, yoga and activities that can be done in-cell. Certainly, as part of our new strategy, we are looking at what other technology we can put into cells to assist people in spending their time well while they are in our custody, but also helping them gain skills, helping with their mental health issues, and also being active citizens. There is no reason somebody should not be able to apply for their own personal public service number, PPSN, or apply for their own passport, or make a housing application. At the moment, we have integrated sentence-management staff who do that on their behalf but it would be great, in terms of agency, for people to be encouraged and supported to do that themselves.