Prison Service bans 18-rated games

Inmates will no longer be able to play 18-rated video games

The UK Prison Service has issued an instruction banning all inmates from playing 18-rated video games.

Changes to the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme also mean that from 30 September the government will no longer foot the bill for games consoles.

Inmates will have to pay for the machines themselves, and even then only if they qualify with good behaviour.

Each prison will be allowed to decide how it implements the new policy, but all facilities are expected to be in line with the new directive from October.

Only those who have proved themselves, and those on suicide watch, will be allowed access to games.

"Access to computer games is no substitute for purposeful activity like work or education classes, both of which are being cut back because the government is failing to tackle the underlying reasons for the rise in the prison population, " Prison Reform Trust deputy director Geoff Dobson told the BBC.

"Prisoners who are being managed under suicide prevention measures will be allowed access to a games console to occupy them while they are vulnerable."

Figures suggest that HM Prison Service spent around £10,000 last year on 80 Sony PlayStations and 15 Xbox 360s to help entertain young offenders during their incarceration.

The under-18 rating restriction should remove all prisoner access to violent video games, especially those that involve "murder, flaunting officials and wanton destruction".