Belly dancing for women in prison

BELLY dancing classes will be offered to female prisoners – in the hope of encouraging them to stay in shape.

Taxpayers’ cash is also being spent on yoga and Zumba lessons for the 425 inmates at HMP New Hall near Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The prison is closed category, and houses 40 women serving life sentences.

The courses were highlighted in a report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), a watchdog that checks conditions inside jails.

However spending more public money on leisure for inmates is likely to raise eyebrows among critics.

The IMB report said: ‘The gym continues to offer sessions for the over-50s, remedial classes for those with a disability, injury or weight problems. New classes are proposed that will include Zumba, yoga and belly dancing.’

In April, it was reported that detainees at an immigration removal centre were learning to make cocktails. The suspected illegal immigrants were taught while awaiting deportation or release.