Talks are under way on plans for a pilot project to allow Shetland people to virtually ‘visit’ loved ones in prison on the Scottish mainland through video calls.
It is hoped that the project could help to maintain contact between separated friends and families, particularly those who do not have the resources to regularly travel south for visits.
The finer details of the project are being sorted through by Shetland Islands Council’s criminal justice social work team in collaboration with the Scottish Prison Service.
Virtual visits are currently available from Aberdeen to people the Perth, Grampian, Barlinnie and Polmont prisons.
A pilot project has also been in place at Inverness since January, but the potential Shetland link-up is part of a scheme to extend this to the islands.
Shetland Community Justice Partnership chair Matt Mason said regular contact between people at home and their loved ones in prison maintains “very important social and family links”.
“The Shetland Community Justice Partnership is pleased to confirm that negotiations are currently underway with the Scottish Prison Service to provide facilities that will enable video visits from Shetland to all Scottish prison establishments,” he said.
“There is particular criteria and guidance that needs to be met before this can happen and the criminal justice social work team are leading on this.
“It is hoped that Shetland will be a successful pilot area to enable regular contact between individuals in prison and their families. This contact maintains very important social and family links and helps reintegration to their home communities.”