Inmates at prison may help on canal

Inmates at Shrewsbury's Dana prison could soon be helping to plug a gap in skills affecting the 40-year resto- ration of a canal.

Talks are under way for prisoners at the overcrowded jail to learn new crafts and help upgrade sections of the 35-mile Montgomery Canal.

British Waterways regeneration manager Andrew Stumpf said it was hoped the scheme would come into effect early in the new year.

He said a lot of the prisoners had the skills already, and if they did not they could be trained on the job.

Mr Stumpf said the work ranged from unskilled labouring to building trade skills such as carpentry and onto team management.

He said the prisoners would be paid in line with the money they would earn for work inside the jail.

Shrewsbury Prison governor Gerry Hendry said discussions were in the early stages. He said if staff at the Dana could teach the prisoners the required skills it would be a great advantage to both them and the canal.

He said the scheme would also give the prisoners an opportunity to give something back to society.

The restoration is a long-term project and Mr Hendry said it was hoped the canal could be returned to its former "magnificence".

In October, canal volunteers in Welshpool marked 40 years since restoration work on the canal began.