A decision by a prison to only accept greeting cards for inmates made by certain companies has been dropped.

The Mount in Bovingdon issued a now deleted tweet this week announcing after “much deliberation”, it would only be accepting cards from “trusted sources” such as Funky Pigeon and Moonpig from June 20.

The apparent move by the Category C prison to ban handwritten cards and photographs was on health and safety grounds, with prison governor Paul Crossey writing there is “increased concern with the threat presented by psychoactive substances”.

He added: “Such substances represent a significant health, safety, and stability risk to both the working and living environment.”

The Spectator reported inspectors found drugs such as ‘spice’ was often smuggled past officers in the form of letters and cards during a visit to The Mount in 2018.

Watford Observer: The Mount published this tweet before deleting it later. Credit: TwitterThe Mount published this tweet before deleting it later. Credit: Twitter

The Mount’s supposed ban on most forms of greeting cards sparked an angry backlash online.

Prisoner family support network Our Empty Chair tweeted: “Handwritten cards, letters and drawings are genuinely lifelines to people inside.

“This is disgustingly cruel, particularly in light of prolonged period of no visits and limited, costly phone contact as a result of the pandemic. We urge HMP The Mount to reconsider.”

Writer and performer Travis Alabanza tweeted it was “unbelievably cruel” while Twitter user @laylaplace said families will be forced to pay for more “expensive” cards and questioned whether the prison recognised the “importance” of family ties.

The Watford Observer approached the Ministry of Justice for a response to the criticism.

The Prison Service replied by confirming the card and photo policy Mr Crossey had wrote would be introduced later this month is no longer happening.

A spokesperson said: “There has been no change in policy and this tweet has now been taken down. We apologise for any confusion caused.”

Greeting cards that are sent in to prison that are identified as potentially containing drugs will continue to be photocopied, with that photocopy then being shared with the prisoner.

Our Empty Chair says it is continuing its campaign against  “clamping down” on prisoner post, including photocopying.