Prisoners carry out rail repairs (BBC News)
 

An agency used by Network Rail employs serving prisoners to carry out repairs to Britain's railways.

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The reintegration of offenders must be an important part of any civilised society. The only problem I can see is that the Unions were not part of the process.

I know it is different on a Heritage Railway were we are all volunteers. On the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway we have groups of young offenders working with us weekly

John H-T.

The headline makes it sound more dramatic than it really is, it sounds like a good idea and maybe they should be trained once they leave prison. Ive got a better idea maybe the youths that attack trains and trespass on railway tracks should as part of their sentance be made to help mend the fences etc.

I agree, what do they want? everyone to have a degree in engineeering? The old relaying gangs that I remember wern't employed for their brain power, strength and reliability were the important factors.