It is widely known that prisoners generally spend far too much time in their cells – particularly at the weekend. However, a new report published by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has now revealed that most Friday routines are also restricted.

Inspectors found that very few prisoners participated in education, work, or meaningful activities on a Friday afternoon – with the majority of workshop and education activities ‘not contracted’ to operate. In some cases, prisoners who were locked up at Friday lunchtime remained confined to their cells until Saturday afternoon.

Some Prison Governors expressed a desire to run a more purposeful regime and were frustrated at contract limitations that had failed to resource education and workshops on a Friday afternoon. One group of prisoners told Inspectors that their strongest wish was for Friday to be a working weekday – like any other – in order to prevent restricted weekend regimes from beginning earlier than necessary.

In light of further prison education budget cuts, however, Friday mornings risk becoming the start of a weekend of extended confinement for people in prison.

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