A bar behind bars

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

- BY PHIL CARDY

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.

"Expanding into two more prisons, including our first female facility, is a huge step forward and we're proud to be offering more people the chance to gain skills, confidence, and a fresh start in their lives."