Inmates to be locked up longer

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Prisoners in England and Wales are to be locked in their cells every Friday afternoon in an attempt to save money.

The Prison Service says it is the only way it can meet Treasury demands for a 3% cut in costs.

President of the Prison Governors' Association Paul Tidball told MPs that keeping inmates locked up was "the best way to meet that saving next year."

From April next year, prisoners will spend less time out of their cells than in 1743.

But Mr Tidball, appearing before the Commons justice committee, added that locking up prisoners for longer would have an impact on rehabilitation.

"There is no doubt that there is constructive activity that will vanish as a result of what is being proposed," he said.

Locking up prisoners in their cells for even longer is the proverbial recipe for disaster. Frances Crook,Howard League for Penal Reform

However, prison reform campaigners have reacted furiously to the Treasury's requirement to cut costs.

The Howard League for Penal Reform described it as "absolute madness".

League director, Frances Crook said: "It is absolute madness for the Treasury to seek cuts in costs by 3% at a time when we are sending more people to prison than ever before.

She added: "Locking up prisoners in their cells for even longer and reducing the purposeful activity available is the proverbial recipe for disaster. "

Riots

Ms Crook also said the proposal would mean an increased threat of riots among inmates and would ultimately lead to more crime.

She added: "This enforced decision compromises public protection as it will see more and more prisoners being released.

"They are intensely frustrated, utterly dismissive of authority and have seen little or no work done on addressing their offending behaviour.

"That will mean one thing and one thing only - more crime."

Mr Tidball also warned that gang culture could flourish within the massive "Titan" jails proposed by Justice Secretary Jack Straw last week.

The new prisons would hold up to 2,500 inmates - at least 1,000 more than the current largest jail in England and Wales.

"There is evidence that where these large prisons exist gang culture can be more predominant.

"Our belief is that smaller is better, " Mr Tidball said.