A bar behind bars

Prison pub teaches hospitality skills to help jailbirds find jobs

- PHIL CARDY

DOING time gentlemen please! Prisoners are training for pub work on their release - in specially-built bars behind bars.

What started as a one-off called The Lock Inn at HMP Liverpool is now going national, with two more jails joining the lineup.

The initiative, launched by pub giant Marston's, trains inmates in cooking, serving and running a kitchen.

HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire and women's nick HMP Styal, Cheshire, will soon open their own versions.

Todd Lockley, of Marston's, said: "The first 12 months of The Lock Inn have been transformative.