Prisons ban 18-rated video games

18-rated GTA IV

Prisons in England and Wales are to ban all 18-rated video games from September 30, according to the BBC.

Under new guidelines, jails across the UK must remove all adult-rated games before the deadline.

Last year, the government spent over £10,000 on consoles and games for young offender institutions, but new rules coming into effect mean inmates will have to buy their own in future.

"For those prisoners permitted to use games consoles in cell, the cost of purchasing consoles and games will rest solely upon the prisoner and will not be met by the taxpayer," said a spokesperson for the Prison Service.

The online report added that only inmates demonstrating good behaviour, or who are a suicide risk, will be allowed access to games.