Prisoners to be given 'keys to own cells' to reward good behaviour

Good behaviour among prisoners will be rewarded with incentives under new government plans to encourage praise over punishment.

Those who behave well could be handed the keys to their own cell and prepare their own meals under the new Incentives Policy Framework .

The framework introduced by The Ministry of Justice, along with other policies, allows governors to tackle poor behaviour in 'helping prisoners to make the right choices to prepare them to lead crime-free lives when they leave prison.'

Guards are requested to make frequent 'warm and encouraging' positive reinforcement - four times as much as punishment.

The privileges, which also include freedom to choose when to shower and more time in the gym, will be earned through incentive levels; basic, standard, and enhanced, but can also be lost by moving down the levels for poor behaviour.

The new system scraps 'entry level' privileges, which was felt to unfairly punish new arrivals, whereas now prisoners will start on 'standard level' when sent down from the court.

If prisoners fall to basic level, they'll lose access to TV and have their spending money cut.

Prison guards are asked to use praise four times as much as punishment (Getty Images)

The report says: "The system of privileges is a key tool for incentivising prisoners to abide by the rules and engage in the prison regime and rehabilitation, including education, work and substance misuse interventions – whilst allowing privileges to be taken away from those who behave poorly or refuse to engage."

Announcing the policy on Thursday, Justice Secretary David Gauke, said: "This new framework gives Governors the tools to set clear behavioural standards for prisoners – enhancing their ability to maintain stability while steering offenders away from a life of crime."

The framework is a result of the consultation published last September by the ex-Tory leadership contender, Rory Stewart, who was the former prisons minister.

At the time, he said: "Prisons must be places of safety, decency and purposeful activity to turn around the lives of those in custody. This new framework will give governors the tools to set clear behavioural standards for offenders under their watch, and the consequences should these not be met."