Inmates at HMP Leyhill get to enjoy enjoy nature walks, bingo and cooking classes
PRISONERS are enjoying guided nature walks, karaoke sessions, bingo, spot the celeb quizzes and cookery classes - and can even grow their own flowers to brighten up their cells.
Inmates at HMP Leyhill, a 515-capacity open jail in Gloucester - home to 340 sex offenders and 170 life sentence prisoners - can also enjoy embroidery classes and make matchstick models.
They were also treated to a performance from an opera company, and have now formed their own choir.
The jail, set in 135-acres of ornamental gardens, is nicknamed the 'Savoy of Slammers', and more than half of the inmates are over the age of 50, with a quarter of them over the age of 60.
'SAVOY OF SLAMMERS'
The prison also has a botanical garden, three tennis courts as well as football and hockey pitches, a bowling green and volleyball court.
Former prisoners at the jail include shamed PR guru Max Clifford, TV presenter Rolf Harris, disgraced former MP Chris Huhne and EastEnders favourite Leslie Grantham.
A report by inspectors from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) last week said that all the activities were aimed at 'improving and maintaining physical and mental health'.
The Lobster Pot provides a range of activities aimed at improving and maintaining both physical and mental health
It stated the most of the activities took place in the 'Lobster Pot' day centre, where prisoners could 'relax'.
The report states: "The Lobster Pot provides a range of activities aimed at improving and maintaining both physical and mental health.
"These include displaying pictorial information of celebrities and historical key events to aid memory issues (and) nature walks around the estate and conservation area."
It also stated that lags can grow flowers to put in their cells, or vegetables to rustle up their own dinner, adding: "Allotments... to enable prisoners to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables for their own consumption.
"(And) cookery classes which actively encourage and help them to learn how to cook for themselves and look after their health."
It adds: "In addition, there was Fine Cell Work, an art group, matchstick club, karaoke, and bingo - and some prisoners attended the Lobster Pot simply to relax."
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The report also stated that prisoners 'constantly visited the jail's library to take out video games and books, adding: "The library enhanced the cultural life of the 94 per cent of prisoners who were members and attracted a foot-fall of around one thousand per month.
"Requests for console games and library stock and use of the enquiry centre were constant.
"The satisfaction to be derived from involvement in delivering such appreciated services was very evident in the decision of the prisoner-orderlies to open the library voluntarily on Christmas Day."
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