Published at 11:08, Thursday, 22 September 2011

PRISONERS have benefited from almost £2,000-worth of entertainment equipment – including 32” LCD flatscreen TVs.

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Six televisions have been purchased for prisoners to watch in communal areas at HMP Haverigg.

Another was purchased for the personal use of a disabled prisoner.

Prisons are facing cutbacks, but from 2007 to 2010, HMP Haverigg spent £1,888.94 on seven television sets and two DVD players, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Prisoners enjoy television in communal areas, while the prison also rents TV sets to inmates as part as an ongoing privileges scheme.

Coun Ray Cole said: “I understand the prison service does have cuts to make, but obviously it’s down to the governor and staff to see which is the best way to spend the money.

“It is probably something they need and want and it’s down to the governor to take the decision.”

Robin Pitt, of Haverigg, a former prison service worker, said: “In my opinion televisions in prison take the pressure off staff.

“It’s a small outlay for an innovative scheme that resolves tensions in many ways.

“For anyone to begrudge a few thousand pounds to be spent on anything that helps staff is just mouth.”

Eoin McLennan-Murray, president of the Prison Governors’ Association, said: “When this equipment was first introduced and subsequently replaced, it was funded from a general purpose fund, which in turn was funded from the profit made on the sale of tobacco etc to prisoners through the prison canteen.

“So, the prisoners funded these things from the money they earned in prison workshops. The average prisoner wage is something like £8 per week.”

A Prison Service spokes-person said: “This equipment, with one exception, was purchased for use in communal areas of the prison and not for private use.

“The exception was for a prisoner with disabilities and the prisoner concerned rented the equipment.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk