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Prison boss defends cash prizes Prison boss defends cash prizes
(2 days later)
The governor of a Nottinghamshire prison has defended cash prizes for inmates playing bingo.The governor of a Nottinghamshire prison has defended cash prizes for inmates playing bingo.
Up to £5,000 of tax payers' money has been put aside for quizzes at Whatton Jail near Bingham. The category C prison houses male sex offenders.Up to £5,000 of tax payers' money has been put aside for quizzes at Whatton Jail near Bingham. The category C prison houses male sex offenders.
The Prison Officers Association said the money should be spent on education programmes instead.The Prison Officers Association said the money should be spent on education programmes instead.
But the governor at Whatton, Peter Wright, said it was important to get things in perspective.But the governor at Whatton, Peter Wright, said it was important to get things in perspective.
'Cash-strapped''Cash-strapped'
The cash will fund a year of winnings of up to £3 for inmates.The cash will fund a year of winnings of up to £3 for inmates.
Pete Chapple of the Prison Officers Association said: "We would always support any activity which helps to sort of rehabilitate offenders.Pete Chapple of the Prison Officers Association said: "We would always support any activity which helps to sort of rehabilitate offenders.
"But in the current cash-strapped times of the prison service, we don't believe this is a good use of public money."But in the current cash-strapped times of the prison service, we don't believe this is a good use of public money.
"There are better ways to spend money to help prisoners learn to interact.""There are better ways to spend money to help prisoners learn to interact."
But governor Peter Wright said: "I don't think this is disproportionate in any way.But governor Peter Wright said: "I don't think this is disproportionate in any way.
"And... although some people may be concerned about it, I don't think the majority of people would be bothered about such small amounts of money being spent on prizes against the background of this very large and complicated prison.""And... although some people may be concerned about it, I don't think the majority of people would be bothered about such small amounts of money being spent on prizes against the background of this very large and complicated prison."