New X-Ray scanner to stop illegal items entering HMP Berwyn

An advanced X-ray body scanner has been installed at HMP Berwyn to prevent illegal items, including drugs, weapons and phones being smuggled in.

The innovative equipment being rolled out across England and Wales is part of a UK Government £100 million package to boost security in prisons and crack down on crime behind bars.

The technology, developed specifically for the Prison Service, allows staff to see instantly whether prisoners are attempting to smuggle in illegal contraband.

Any illegal item detected would have been destined for the prison wings, fuelling the illicit economy and potential violence.

An additional 22 prisons have had the game-changing equipment installed in the last six months, meaning 51 prisons across England and Wales now have the technology, which has collectively already stopped more than 3,500 illegal items from getting into the hands of prisoners.

Prisons Minister, Alex Chalk MP, said: “The new technology is having a hugely positive impact, stemming the flow of contraband into jails and allowing staff to focus on rehabilitation.

“The scanners form part of our wider aim to transform prisons, stepping up security to cut crime and ultimately better protecting the public.”

The fifty other prisons aside from the local prision to get the equipment are HMPs: Aylesbury, Bedford, Birmingham, Brinsford, Bristol, Brixton, Buckley Hall, Bullingdon, Cardiff, Channings Wood, Chelmsford, Deerbolt, Doncaster, Dovegate, Durham, Elmely, Erlestoke, Exeter, Featherstone, Garth, Gartree, Guys Marsh, Hewell, High Down, Highpoint, Hindley, Lancaster Farms, Leicester, Lewes, Lincoln, Liverpool, Lowdham Grange, Northumberland, Norwich, Oakwood, Onley, Pentonville, Preston, Risley, Rochester, Stoke Heath, Swaleside, Swansea, Thameside, The Mount, Wandsworth, Wayland, Winchester and Wymott.

Top pic: The MOJ attached the above image to the press notice but did not expand on exactly what it shows inside someone.