Email a Prisoner service to keep inmates connected to friends and family with visits on hold

A new service will help prison inmates keep in touch with their family and friends while visits are banned under coronavirus restrictions.

PRISONERS can now be contacted by family and friends through a new email messaging service with personal visits suspended due to COVID-19.

The Tasmanian Prison Service has introduced the Email a Prisoner service to help inmates at Risdon Prisoin maintain connections.

Corrections Minister Elise Archer sad the Government wanted everyone to stay connected through these difficult times.

PUSH FOR EARLY RELEASE OF ELDERLY, NON-VIOLENT PRISONERS

Risdon Prison. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“[Tasmania Prison Service] staff have delivered this initiative as they understand how important it is for prisoners’ mental health and wellbeing, as well as their rehabilitation, to stay connected with their family,” she said.

Those friends and family wishing to send an email to a prisoner must register with the service provider at www.emailaprisoner.com.au using the individual prisoner’s unique identification code.

Prisoners will be provided with printed copies of the email through the existing prison mail delivery process.