Prisoners will have to start paying for television access under a scheme aimed at stopping them from hiding weapons and contraband in their cells.
Clear, plastic-cased televisions allowing officers to detect any hidden objects will be available for rent.
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the rented TVs will eliminate the current risk of weapons and contraband being stored in cells and stop prisoners trying to access the internet.
She says Corrections incurs significant costs for securing and vetting offenders' personal TV sets.
Prisoners will be charged $2 a week to rent the plastic-cased TVs, which Mrs Tolley says is a substantial amount, given that many of them earn between 20 and 60 cents an hour.
She says personal televisions will be removed from Christchurch Men's Prison in November and from other prisons next year.
