HLPR: Work vital for rehabilitation

The government's decision to cancel a pay rise for prisoners at the last minute is unlikely to help resolve the prison crisis, Howard League of Penal Reform director Frances Crook says.

Her comments come after Gordon Brown explained the decision could not go ahead as planned on the Today programme.

Ms Crook said the decision was a "disappointing" one which she hoped was merely the result of "unfortunate political timing".

"Being paid a pittance to do menial and repetitive tasks does nothing to increase a prisoner's employability on release," she added.

"As it is, this latest U-turn from the government will simply further stir the pot of resentment and frustration simmering away in our crisis-ridden jails."