Prisoners taking comedy writing lessons in a bid to sell work to TV companies

17 June 2023 , 16:10

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Those serving porridge can sign up for classes to create scripts like those for... Ronnie Barker's Porridge (Image: BBC)

Prisoners are getting up to some funny business behind bars – by taking comedy writing lessons.

Inmates doing porridge can sign up for lessons in how to create scripts like, erm, Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker and written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. The training is intended to give cons the skills to flog their work to TV and film companies – so some may end up with a laugh sentence.

HMP Highpoint in Suffolk offers the script lessons alongside traditional courses like food safety, construction and decorating.

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A report into conditions at the Category C jail said: “Short courses for the construction skills certification scheme, food safety, and comedy scriptwriting were implemented. Open University distance learning continued to be supported via education.”

Meanwhile, restaurant chains Wagamama and Paul’s are among firms recruiting via jails to solve staffing issues, the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board said.

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The board’s annual report said: “Prisoners were targeted for these events based on their interests, courses and length of sentence.”

Florence Freeman