Prison Service announce new jails crackdown ... no more violent video games

Prisoners will be banned from playing violent computer games under a new package of rules, it was revealed this morning.

It is feared that X-rated games such as Manhunter and Grand Theft Auto make inmates more dangerous.

But convicts who have earned the highest level of privileges behind bars will still be allowed access to games consoles, according to a new Prison Service directive.

Jail bosses have also been banned from spending taxpayers' money on buying hardware or computer games for inmates. 

Last year the Government admitted spending more than £10,000 on 80 PlayStations and 15 Xboxes for young offender institutions.

But the new directive states that all prisoners will be banned from playing 18-rated computer games from the end of September this year.

Only inmates on the highest level of Incentives and Earned Privileges and those at risk of suicide will be allowed to play computer games.

The document states: 'In the adult (18 and over) estate access is to be restricted to those prisoners on the enhanced level of the IEP scheme only.

'In addition, no 18-rated console games are to be permitted. Governors must ensure that action to implement these changes is completed by 30 September 2008.

Computer Games: Grand Theft Auto could make prisoners more violent

'With immediate effect, governors must ensure that all games consoles and console games are purchased at prisoners' own expense.

'No public funds must be used by establishments to purchase games consoles and equipment.'

The directive applies only to adult prisons and not to young offenders institutions.

A senior source told the Mirror it was feared the consoles were making inmates more vicious.

It was originally hoped the games would stop prisoners getting depressed during the long hours in cells with nothing to do.