PRISON bosses have denied reports that day release prisoners are learning how to cut keys at a High Street store chain.

Blantyre House Prison, Goudhurst, found itself in the spotlight for the second time in as many weeks after a national newspaper reported its inmates were being given work placements at Timpsons, a leading key cutting outlet.

But a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice’s prison service said prisoners working at the stop were employed only in engraving and shoe repairs.

The spokeswoman said prisoners released on temporary licence, as part of the rehabilitation process, are chosen for their suitability and released only for precisely defined and specific activities which cannot be provided in prison.

She added: “Paid working out programmes not only help prisoners become more employable they provide an opportunity to help prisoners set aside funds which will help them and their families on release.

“All prisoners are rigorously risk-assessed before release on temporary licence and no prisoners are released if there are concerns for public safety.”

The news come just days after one of its prisoners, a convicted drug smuggler also on day release, was injured in a light aircraft crash near Hythe.