27,000 TVs Bought For Prisoners

More than 27,000 televisions destined for prisoners' cells have been bought in the past two years, figures showed today.

Justice minister Maria Eagle said HM Prison Service purchased 14,814 in-cell televisions in 2007-08 and a further 12,238 in 2008-09 - enough for almost a third of the 83,378 inmates in England and Wales.

Prisoners can rent the televisions for £1 a week as part of perk schemes, Ms Eagle said in a written Commons answer to shadow prisons minister Alan Duncan.

"In-cell televisions are purchased as replenishments for the prisoner rental scheme, as part of local incentives and privileges schemes," Ms Eagle said.

"In-cell televisions are also an earned privilege that can be lost due to poor behaviour."

Inmates are allowed in-cell televisions if they are on either the "standard" or "enhanced" level of the prison privileges system, according to a Prison Service document.

But a separate written answer from Justice Secretary Jack Straw revealed just 1.5% of prisoners are on the lower "basic" level, denied access to televisions.

The Prison Service document said 14in colour televisions with remote controls are made available to inmates, which can be withdrawn for various reasons.

Campaign group Taxpayers' Alliance questioned the Prison Service's priorities.

Policy analyst John O'Connell said: "This is a lot of money for new TVs and the Prison Service must look for the best value for money when they purchase new equipment.

"With the public finances in such a state, many ordinary taxpayers are unable to afford new TV sets so it's not right that inmates are treated to expensive luxuries.

"It's essential that HM Prison Service takes a long, hard look at their spending and ensure that their priorities are in order."

Last year it emerged that 4,000 prisoners have satellite television in their cells.

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