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Home Office launches virtual strip searches

Kable

Published: 12 Oct 2004 17:05 BST

Criminals worried about what life behind bars may be like are offered an online prison tour as part of a new service launched by the Home Office.

The Home Office is offering a virtual tour of prison life where Web site visitors are shown the inside of a cell, get information on strip searches and are told about alcohol and drug addiction.

The tour is part of a new website for the criminal justice system, launched on 11 October 2004 to mark the government's "Inside Justice Week".

Criminal justice organisations will be holding events throughout the week aimed at "opening up" the criminal justice system. Events include mock trials, court open days and "justice roadshows".

The new Web site is designed around different categories of visitor – victims, witnesses, defendant, offender and juror. Each category of visitor is given a virtual tour of their part of the criminal justice system.

Along with the virtual prison is a tour of a courtroom for witnesses and jurors and one covering police procedures for victims.