Anger at free driving lessons for prisoners in Standford Hill jail #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

CONVICTS in a soft-touch jail are being given free driving lessons.

Criminals in Standford Hill prison can learn how to drive for free[GETTY]

In a move that has sparked anger, some criminals will even be offered jobs as forklift or HGV lorry drivers on release if they pass their test.
The inmates are being taught at a special driving school before getting behind the wheel on an industrial estate driving vans, trucks and an assortment of warehouse vehicles.
The course – at low-security Standford Hill prison, on the Isle of Sheppey, in Kent – is overseen by logistics specialists Mainstream Training but is run by prisoners who are also serving time.
In the outside world, learning to drive a lorry involves paying £100 for a medical, £2,000 for lessons and a test and another £350 for a professional competence certificate.

The Government is looking to save money in the long term

Paul Tolley, senior operations manager at Mainstream Training

But the jail scheme, funded by charity, is free.
Paul Tolley, senior operations manager at Mainstream Training, said: “The Government is looking to save money in the long term.
"When these people leave prison they leave with £46 in their pockets and many of them go back into committing crimes.
"If you give someone a job then the likelihood of them re-offending is minimised.”
But Tory MP Priti Patel said: “Criminals should not be fast-tracked into jobs at the expense of law-abiding citizens.”
Local resident Simon Gregg said: “I wouldn’t mind a free training course to drive an HGV truck but I can’t afford it – I’d be better off in prison.”