Pact responds to installation of bag scanners at prison gates

In response to the Ministry of Justice’s announcement that dozens of prisons will be fitted with new scanners for staff and visitors, Andy Keen-Downs, CEO of Pact (Prison Advice and Care Trust), said:

"Security must be paramount and we fully support proportionate measures to keep drugs and weapons out of prison. However, we must ensure that visitors aren’t put off by an intimidating environment. People who receive visits during their time in prison are nearly 40% less likely to reoffend.”

"We’ll be working with the prison service to make sure that these new measures are implemented in a sensitive way."

For more information, please get in touch with media@prisonadvice.org.uk or call us on 07702 517486.