Guidance

Legal representatives: Change to official prison video calls from 1 June 2023

Published 26 May 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/legal-representatives-change-to-official-prison-video-calls-from-1-june-2023/legal-representatives-change-to-official-prison-video-calls-from-1-june-2023

As video is an emerging technology in prisons, we are continually reviewing the security measures and prisoners’ safety.

From 1 June 2023, we are making a small change to the official video call joining process to improve the calls with prisoners. This will only affect prisons with video conferencing centres (VCCs) and HMP Berwyn.

From 1 June, HMP Berwyn and prisons using VCCs must request, record and retain consent from prisoners and their official visitors before using video.

This is no different to what happens during a visit in person. Instead of an officer patrolling and observing the physical meeting, the control room officer will periodically check the screen in each video room.

0.1 Privacy during video calls

With physical visits, staff are not permitted to enter the room and examine evidence being shared. Video calls are no different. Staff may observe the call for a short period of time to make sure no one enters the call who should not be there. Staff are not permitted to zoom in on evidence.

Prison staff have been provided with instructions and training on how to use the VCC control room console functionality and what is and is not permitted. Similarly, they have been provided with instructions and training on how to patrol the VCC area physically and what is and is not permitted.

If you or your client refuse consent, prison staff will record this refusal. The video call can go ahead, and staff will monitor the call as part of the physical VCC area patrols.

0.3 Prisons affected

By 2023, 17 prisons will be required to action this change:

  • Berwyn
  • Birmingham
  • Bronzefield
  • Bullingdon
  • Doncaster
  • Durham
  • Elmley
  • Exeter (when it becomes operational)
  • Forest Bank
  • Hewell
  • Leeds
  • Norwich
  • Nottingham
  • Peterborough
  • Preston
  • Thameside
  • Wandsworth

0.4 Further information

For more information, please contact security.procedures@justice.gov.uk.

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