Coffee jobs for inmates

PRISONERS are to be trained as baristas by Pret a Manger – in the hope of a job on release.

Staff from the chain, which has 370 UK outlets, are to give workshops at coffee shops in jails.

The prison service and Justice Minister Michael Gove want to ensure prisoners do not offend again when they get out.

The UK scheme is to be piloted at women’s prisons, which house 4,000 inmates in 12 jails.

There are about 19,000 coffee shops in the UK.

It is estimated that within 15 years the number of coffee houses could overtake pubs.

There are around 48,000 pubs in Britain now compared with 69,000 in 1980. They are closing at a rate of 31 a week.