Prison inmates give road signs a facelift (From Watford Observer)

Prison inmates give road signs a facelift

6:07am Wednesday 30th May 2007

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DAMAGED road signs are set for a spell in prison as part of a recycling programme in Bovingdon.

Hertfordshire Highways is sending its broken steel temporary roadwork signs from across the county to HMP The Mount, where inmates will give them a facelift.

It is hoped offenders will repair more than 500 signs a year.

The scheme is part of a rehabilitation programme run at the prison, in Molyneaux Avenue, where inmates learning metalwork, welding and basic painting can put their skills to use.

Peter Delves, HM Prison Service business account manager, said: "The aim is to stop them from re-offending by giving them a qualification - and if we can reuse hundreds of signs rather than waste them, it's got to be a good thing."

The Mount is a category C, adult male training prison, with a capacity of 720 inmates. There were two spaces available at the end of April.

The recycling work will take place in the prison's engineering workshop, where inmates are taught to use lathes, grinding and milling machines, and welding. The workshop is also used to make prison doors, window grilles and cell beds that are used across the country.

In addition to engineering, prisoners also repair and refurbish bicycles, make double glazing for public buildings and recycle waste using a wormery.

Inmates also have access to a range of training programmes, including brickwork, plumbing, carpentry and horticulture.

David Robinson, media manager, added: "The purpose of the prison is to rehabilitate offenders with educations and skills training.

"We also teach offenders how to apply for work and prepare for interviews, how to create a business plan and how to give presentations and assistance with finding accommodation."

Hundreds of other street signs are also being recycled by Bedford-based firm EMR and the aluminium will be used as raw material for refineries and smelters.

County Councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for transport, the environment and rural affairs, said: "These two recycling programmes show how keen we are on green initiatives.

"We are the only local authority involved in the HM Prison scheme, which demonstrates our commitment to giving value for money."

Hertfordshire Highways has launched a number of recycling schemes in recent months, to ensure waste products such as batteries, bollards and tyres are reused.

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