Jailbirds creating eco-havens in prison

Jailbirds creating eco-havens in prison

Inmates are becoming conservationists as they use their time behind bars to help protect vital natural habitats that are home to rare species

Thousands of prisoners across the country are turning their jails into some of the most species-rich sites in the country and a newly found interest in conservation is aiding their rehabilitation. The country's 140 prisons include nine internationally recognised sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) as well as two European special areas for conservation and an internationally important wetland.

Some of the important habitats are on land that is outside the prison walls, but in many cases threatened species such as barn owls, kingfishers, adders and slow-worms also reside at Her Majesty's pleasure within prison grounds.