Prisoners who are close to being released are being allowed to host dinner parties in an experiment that has lasted years but only just been exposed.
Four ‘lifers’ are living in a ‘hostel’ where they reportedly cook for governors with meal kits from Hello Fresh and Gusto – a claim the Ministry of Justice has denied.
It is supposed to be a ‘stepping stone’ for convicts serving life or IPP sentences who are deemed as posing a significant risk of serious harm to the public.
The prisoners, who go shopping at the jail store. have 24-hour access to a kitchen and shower and have rooms with a wardrobe and mattress, must behave well or face being returned to the normal wing of the unnamed Category C prison in England.
The experiment was launched when the previous government tightened rules stopping most ‘lifers’ from finishing their sentences in open prisons over fears they could escape.
Prisoners who are close to being released are being allowed to host dinner parties in an experiment that has lasted years but only just been exposed. Pictured: Belmarsh prison (File image)
Four ‘lifers’ are living in a ‘hostel’ where they reportedly cook for governors with meal kits from Hello Fresh and Gusto – a claim the Ministry of Justice has denied. Pictured: HMP Berwyn (File image)
The move was exposed at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Forensic Psychology in Cardiff, Wales.
Prison and probation psychologist Katy Burgess is evaluating the experiment.
One of the prisoners told Ms Burgess it was ‘a bit weird, because you’re in prison, so you know you should not be walking around the prison, really, at lunchtime,’ prison outlet Inside Time reported.
Another convict said: ‘Not having to be escorted or unlocked – it just makes you feel a bit more normal, human, less controlled.’
Ms Burgess added: ‘Some staff thought it was a little bit of a step too far in a closed prison, and didn’t quite understand the benefit it may bring.’
A Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘This small pilot aims to cut reoffending by better preparing certain prisoners for their eventual resettlement in the community.
‘It’s completely wrong to suggest offenders in the unit can access external food services.’
Gusto declined to comment.
MailOnline has contacted HelloFresh for comment.
