Family and friends of prisoners at HMP Lowdham Grange can now upload photos and send them to their loved ones in the prison, thanks to an innovative and simple new service that has been introduced and which is unique in British prisons.
The service has been introduced at HMP Lowdham Grange by Serco, who manage the prison on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, working with The Photo Booth Company, who have introduced the technology from the USA, where it was first developed.
The photo service is simple to use. Family and friends upload their photos to a specially created webpage, and provide the information of the person to receive the photos. The photos are securely printed by the Serco team on a special photo printer in the mail room in the prison and then given to the prisoner.
Commenting on the new service, Mark Hanson, Serco Prison Director at HMP Lowdham Grange, said: “We are delighted to be the first prison in the UK to have introduced this innovative service.
“Keeping prisoners in touch with their family and friends is an important part of maintaining their mental health and well-being and this service will play a key role in helping us achieve that.
“First indications are that this will become a very popular service.”
Alexandra Hay, Founder & Managing Director of The Photo Booth Company (UK) Ltd, said: “This technology is simple to use for friends and family of prisoners and allows a safe and secure way for them to send photographs to their loved ones.
“We are excited at it being introduced at Lowdham Grange and look forward to other prisons in the UK and around the world following their lead.”
The Photo Booth Company will be at this year's Modernising Criminal Justice conference on 23rd June - their photo printing technology has been shown to advance prisoner rehabilitation, reduce contraband, streamline prison mail handling, and improve safety and security whilst providing opportunities to increase revenue. Speak to the team about secure printing and other opportunities at their virtual booth.
Jessica Kimbell, GovNet
