Dozens of inmates get driving lessons
DOZENS of prisoners, including violent criminals and sex offenders, are being let out of jail to do driving lessons.
Justice officials admit the cost of lessons is met by taxpayers if the inmates cannot find the funds.
In some cases charities help them with a £350 grant and many are let out of low-security open prisons for lessons.
Campaigners argue the scheme makes inmates more employable when they get out.
But James Price of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “If the state is paying for them, that actually means taxpayers – at a time when many are struggling to pay for such training for themselves.
“Add to this that they are prisoners, locked up because of violent crimes against those who don’t break the rules, and this spending becomes inexcusable.”
According to the most recent figures, covering 2015, a total of 143 inmates were allowed out to either do lessons or take their driving test. Of those, 59 had been jailed for violent attacks.
In 2014, the Ministry of Justice revealed it granted day release to 129 inmates – including 57 in for violent offences and two jailed d for motoring crimes. A fifth of the inmates let out ut for driving originally ally got the equivalent nt of a life sentence.
Cons who have e taken driving lessons sons include police killer ler Harry Roberts, who ho was taken out by y an instructor while at HMP Sudbury, Derbys. He passed d his test after he was freed in November er 2014, after 48 years. ars.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “It t is right that we give offenders opportunities to work and secure cure employment upon release, including by taking driving lessons if necessary.
“The majority of costs are met by prisoners and offenders rs will only be released on temporary licence if they pass s a robust risk assessment.”