Inmates at a Nottinghamshire prison are reportedly set to be part of a new drive to create protective equipment for health workers tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Robert Buckland, the government's justice secretary, has told the Daily Telegraph plans are being drawn up for eight prisons to take part in the production drive - including HMP Whatton.
He says inmates at the jails will this week start making scrubs and face visors as a way of saving the NHS money in light of surging prices for PPE.
Their efforts will support those of the John Lewis department store chain which has brought a group of workers back from furlough to make clinical gowns as the race for PPE continues amid worldwide shortages.
The items will cost only around one third of current market rates, Mr Buckland confirmed.
"Staff in our NHS are doing an incredible job ... and I'm delighted that inmates are supporting them by producing equipment to help keep them safe", he added.
The category B and C prisons involved in the effort include Swansea, Channings Wood in Devon, Wakefield, Highpoint in Suffolk, Whatton in Nottinghamshire and New Hall in West Yorkshire, which holds women and young offenders.
The prisons will make scrubs for around £5 a set, compared with their £15 price tag on the open market.
An initial order has been made for the manufacture of 5,000 scrub tops and 5,000 laundry bags for the scrubs.
Prisoners will be paid their standard weekly wage of around £12.50, the Daily Telegraph reported.
