Communications

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• There is sufficient access to telephones at all times.
• Women can make international phone calls at rates comparable to those available in the community.
• Women without money are provided with a reasonable number of free calls of sufficient length.
• Women are able to use personal email accounts and have internet access for communication, information and leisure purposes, and can open attachments.
• All legitimate websites are accessible. There are effective procedures for quickly and permanently unblocking sites that have been inappropriately restricted.
• Women have free access to video calling and social networking to support contact with family and friends. Access is restricted only on the basis of documented individual risk assessment.
• Women can quickly and easily send and receive faxes, without charge and without restrictions on length, to ensure that legal documents are transmitted in their entirety.
• Women are able to send letters free of charge if they have no money, and are informed of how to do so. Women’s mail is not opened by centre staff unless there are identified individual risks.