Young offenders at Parc YOI in Bridgend, Wales will take part in a six-month trial using Skype to communicate with family members, legal advisers, resettlement staff and YOT workers.
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) sees Skype as one solution to increasing numbers of young people being placed in custody further away from home as a result of the reduction in the number of youth custody places.
Earlier this year, the number of young people in custody fell below 1,000 for the first time.
A statement on the pilot in the YJB bulletin said: “Resources such as video technology will play an increasing role in maintaining family relationships and links with home communities.
“Internet-based video solutions, such as Skype, are more accessible than traditional video technology.”
The YJB said the purpose of the pilot is to test that security and safeguarding concerns over the use of the technology can be managed, and that the quality of the connection and image is sufficient to enable “quality interaction”.
Ensuring that the use of the technology does not increase the travel burden of youth justice staff and families, and that it complements rather than replaces face-to-face interaction is also going to be monitored.
An assessment of the pilot, which is due to end in mid-November, will be carried out by Swansea University.
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