Let them make phone calls...

The National Audit Office (NAO) praises three new prisons built by the National Offender Management Service, in a new report out today.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the NAO singles out screened in-cell showers and toilets as particularly important. When completed, the prisons are set to house around 2,500 individuals.

The Daily Telegraph also reports that at Serco-run Thameside prison in South London, some inmates have access to in-cell telephones. According to the NAO:

'In-cell telephones, as well as allowing prisoners to maintain family contact (important for successful rehabilitation), also contribute to prisoner safety'.

In another development, private contractor Capita is to take over the electronic monitoring contracts from G4S and Serco in the new year, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

G4S and Serco are currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office following allegations that both companies overcharged on their tagging contracts.

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