Prisoners 'to Work a 40-Hour week'

Prisoners will be expected to work 40-hour weeks to raise money for victims of crime and help cover the cost of keeping them behind bars Justice Secretary Ken Clarke is to say.

The Government wants private firms to employ inmates in 9-to-5 jobs within prisons to end what Mr Clarke believes is a now a life of "enforced, bored idleness where getting out of bed is optional".

Plans are also being examined for a purpose-built private-sector factory prison where criminals could earn higher wages to further boost the cash generated by the system. Around a fifth of the money would be earmarked to compensate victims - a money-raising system promised in both coalition partners' general election manifestos.'

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