Shropshire prisoners could to be put to work in plan to cut re-offending rates

Speaking to a meeting of the North Shropshire Neighbourhood and Farm Watch Association, Bill Longmore said prisoners would be asked to make products to sell.

And he said this would raise money which would mean things like police station closures might not need to happen.

But he stayed tight-lipped about the exact details of the scheme, which are expected to be announced in the next four months.

He said: "Prisons are facing cuts too and we need to work closer together.

"We can get prisoners out to work in the community, not to take other people's jobs but for projects that people would like to see happening but can't at the moment.

"We are looking to tune everything together, where prisons are producing things that can be sold into the community on a commercial basis to bring money back into the system. I have already lined up an area where we can do this.

"I want West Mercia to show the way forward."

He told about 30 people at the meeting at the Tern Hill Hall Hotel near Market Drayton that the scheme would be good for prisoners as they learn new skills and good for the public as it reduces costs.

He said there were 84,000 people in prison in England and Wales and up to 60 per cent of them would come out and go back in.

Mr Longmore highlighted this as a particular problem putting strain on budgets. He said young offenders cost £100,000 each when they were in prison – and at Stoke Heath HMP and YOI near Market Drayton there were 750 of them.

"If we can get to grips with re-offending then there'll be no need for police cuts," he added.

"Things like care farms are being done in Worcestershire and they are leaders in the treatment of people with drug problems – it is literally a farm for rehabilitation.

"I think people are going to be pleased with the changes and think it is a good idea."