LONG FACE OF THE LAW Lags pat nags to relieve stress
A JAIL is spending £72,000 a year to hire horses so inmates can pat them to relieve stress.
Governors at Risley prison in Cheshire pay for two horses to go into the Cat C prison up to five times a week.
The money to pay for the “equine assisted learning” comes from the prison’s public-funded education department.
A source said: “It’s a lot of money and has raised eyebrows.
“Nobody doubts that the inmates enjoy the horses, but many believe it is a waste of cash and that the money could be used better.
“Risley is awash with drugs, for example, and this seems a bizarre way to spend funds.”
The horses are provided by Middlesborough-based firm HorseWorks.
They use four horses and alternate them each week.
On a HorseWorks Facebook page, the firm has logged its sessions. The scheme began last December.
It wrote: “Wow. Great first day in prison, had a very supportive education staff, really engaged participants who will really enjoy the course.
“Had some fab feedback from them already and lots of interest in the course itself. Of course the real stars are Mak and Scarlett who make me so proud, really generous and enthusiastic.”
Another post states: “The course encourages deep thinking and reflection and they (the inmates) asked some great questions.”
The horses are based in a “sterile” area behind the main prison cell blocks.
Many of the inmates on the scheme are “self isolated” prisoners, who do not mix.
Some are sex offenders who fear violence from other inmates.
The project began after a jail governor returned from a trip to Texas where he watched a rodeo.
He suggested the horse therapy as a way to help inmates relax and engage.
HorseWorks says it has had positive feedback from inmates.
It quotes from a letter it says it was sent by a former lag.
The inmate states: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to better myself in a unique way through working with you and the horses.
“The experience has taught me so much about myself and other people.”
The prison can house 1,095 inmates.