Featherstone inmates to set up their own shop
Inmates at Featherstone Prison are to set up and run a shop, selling things they have made behind bars.
The Ministry of Justice will build the store on the outskirts of the grounds and prisoners will be in charge of it.
It is understood that members of the public will be able to purchase items made by inmates such as beds, chairs, chess boards and hanging baskets.
MoJ officials have said the plans would be part of the inmate's rehabilitation at the Category C prison with any profit made from the initiative going back into the running of the shop.
MP for South Staffordshire Gavin Williamson described it as a positive move.
Prison service spokeswoman Lucy Jones said: "We want offenders to use their time in prison constructively learning new skills that can help them find work when they are released, which is a major factor in preventing re-offending. Any profits from this scheme will be reinvested into the shop."
It is understood that work to create the store will begin later this year. The MoJ has said the process is in the early stages.
As of yet it is not known if neighbouring HMP Oakwood and Brinsford Young Offenders Institution will be part of the scheme at a later date. Prison officials have said that initially it will only involve HMP Featherstone.
Conservative Mr Williamson said: "Any action that can positively influence and help the rehabilitation of inmates is welcome. It also good because it will also be a service to the community and I think it is a positive move and I think we should be supporting more initiatives that promote such things. I have seen some of the goods that inmates do create and they are of a very good standard."
Featherstone prison already offers workshops, thinking skills programmes, welfare to work schemes as well as a job club for inmates.
Last November, the MoJ shelved plans to turn part of it into an open prison.
It would have allowed prisoners into the community but the plans to change the security categorisation were met with an outcry from residents living in nearby Featherstone and Brinsford.
Jeremy Wright MP, former parliamentary under secretary of state for justice, wrote to Mr Williamson to say the proposals were scrapped following a review.
