PRISONERS OF ZENDA
Violent inmates taught meditation and pet therapy
A TOP security jail is teaching violent criminals to chill out and find their inner peace.
It has set up a special unit which offers yoga, pet therapy, drama clubs, tennis matches and even dinner parties.
There are only 12 places so there is a long waiting list for a place.
The Psychologically Informed Planned Environment (PIPE) unit has been set up at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.
A prison source said: “It might sound like a Gwyneth Paltrow-style retreat but
I’m not sure she’d want to be around any of these lot.”
The jail holds some of the UK’S most dangerous inmates, including murderers like Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright.
Two-thirds of cons there are serving life sentences and the rest are doing 10 years or more.
A jail inspection report said: “Sessions take place most days and therapies – crafts, art, drama, games, yoga – are offered by a creative therapist. A pet therapist has been approved, for which there is much enthusiasm.”
The Independent Monitoring Board added: “Staff/prisoner tennis sessions were enjoyed when it was possible to hold them.
“Money has been invested in building the staff team to help support recovery on the unit.”
But James Roberts of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said the scheme was “wasting cash” and added: “Prison pampering has to stop.”
The jail also houses Vincent Tabek, who murdered his neighbour Joanna Yeates in Bristol in 2010. Previous inmates include terror preacher Abu Hamza and notorious lag Charles Bronson.
The Prison Service said: “Schemes like this help to rehabilitate offenders with significant mental health conditions – reducing prison violence, cutting crime and protecting the public.”