Speedy Hire, the UK's largest tool and equipment hire provider is giving prisoners at HMP Garth and HMP Pentonville plant maintenance training.
More than 100 prisoners are being trained in the repair and maintenance of tools and equipment to manufacturers' standards.

Speedy Hire hopes their efforts will lead to jobs for prisoners upon their release.

Speedy Hire has worked closely with the HM Prison Service to develop workshops for prisoners, similar to the maintenance facilities at the firm's tool hire workshops.

Steve Palmer, UK workshops director said: ''Our suppliers are supportive of the scheme and a number have taken the time to go into the prisons and train prisoners on their specific products. Due to the success of the trial, we are considering rolling out the scheme to other prisons across the UK.'

Peter Delves, business account manager from HM Prison Service, said: 'We encourage employer-backed rehabilitation schemes as it helps prisoners to focus on life after prison and get equipped with valuable skills. The Speedy Hire training scheme has been extremely successful and is popular given its practical focus. We've already placed some of our ex-prisoners in positions at Speedy Hire workshops and we are keen to extend the training to other institutions.'