Skip to content

All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated.

To view this licence, visit:
https://nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3

or write to:
Information Policy Team,
The National Archives,
Kew,
London TW9 4DU

or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

This publication is available at:
https://pecs-contract-guide.service.justice.gov.uk.

© Crown copyright

Central authorisation letter

Operational Security Group PECS Technology Authorisation Letter (DOCX, 159.2 KB)

This note is to advise prisons that a central authorisation has been provided under section 40E of the Prison Act in respect of any prison or Young Offender Institution for Prisoner Escort Contractors (GeoAmey, Tascor, Serco etc) undertaking delivery/collection of prisoners the following technology:

Mobile Devices

PECS are authorised to convey into the prison, possess and use within the prison, and take out of the prison an approved work issued mobile device for logging details of prisoners and to allow escort staff to record related prisoner-information such as potential security risks, self-harm issues and medical needs. PECS are also authorised to use these devices to transmit information from inside the prison for simultaneous reception outside the prison if this is required for operational purposes.

Authorised supplier devices

PECS suppliers can take the technology described below into all HMPPS prison establishments:

Microlise 

This is provided in the form of a tablet secured into the front cab of a vehicle. It provides a tracking and telematics functionally, trip sheet, integrated satellite navigation, task management and ability for voice calls and text messages.

VERA – Vehicle Escort Recording Application

The Samsung A23 mobile device will replace the Samsung A20 for vehicle escorts and the Huawei tablet in the courts. The A20 models will be phased out.
The device is fully locked to the VERA application only, there is no voice capability.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 LTE 8 inch tablet device

The Samsung Tab A8 supports the GEOTransport application, employed to record the movement of subjects from prison or custody suite locations to court attendance and for any subsequent onward journeys.

Devices are data only and do not have any voice capability. The device will be fixed into a holder carried by the GEOAmey officers at all times when outside of a vehicle.

Security requirements

  • Prisons must log the devices in and out of the prison, any devices found to be missing must be investigated and traced by the escort contractor
  • In the event of a device being lost or stolen, the contractor will ensure that the data function of the device is disabled remotely so that it cannot be used
  • Personal mobile phones must be handed in at the gate and secured in a locker for the duration of the visit