Mobile phones in cells, virtual visits by video-link and even limited internet access for education purposes will become the new normal for prisoners.
Changes made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to minimise social contact are considered to have been so successful that they will become permanent.
But while the changes have made life easier for prisoners and prison officers, there are fears that some of the new measures will be abused.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spent £160,000 on mobile phones for inmates and there are no plans to remove them.
Like virtual visits, they were introduced to help prisoners stay in touch with loved ones, but also had the benefit of making social distancing in jails easier, removing the need to queue for public phones.
The handsets are not smart phones, so cannot access the internet and social media sites, cannot take photos and have been blocked from receiving calls.
Inmates have to have up to 20 numbers approved by prison staff and they can call these numbers in daytime, with the taxpayer picking up costs.
One senior source said: “One of the major reasons for repeat offending is when a prisoner leaves jail, especially after a long sentence, and has lost touch with family and friends.
“So the handsets and virtual visits have improved the quality of life of prisoners, and that helps keep staff safe as well.
"Once the technology has been paid for and introduced, why would you stop using it if there are benefits?”
Some people fear that greater access to technology could lead to crime being orchestrated from behind bars and that crime witnesses could be targeted, although some gangsters already have illegally-held smartphones in jail.
In 2017, it emerged that 1500 mobiles had been confiscated by the SPS in the previous four years, having been used by prisoners to direct drug deals and commit other crimes.
Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman, said: “Giving prisoners free mobile phones seems to be the SNP Government’s preference even after Covid.
“This has been done through the back door despite the risk of some continuing criminal enterprise.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The SPS has supported the mental health of prisoners by continuing family contact with the introduction of virtual visits and mobile phone access, with appropriate safeguards.
“The use of these new methods of contact will continue to provide support as we transition out of lockdown.”
