A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has called for more efforts to get prisoners employed while they are locked up - saying it is a key factor in improving the system.

Nigel Huddleston has urged Justice Secretary Michael Gove to make sure jailbirds are given work while they serve time.

The Conservative, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, also said under-pressure prison governors should be handed more power and responsibility over what goes on behind bars.

Mr Gove is being tasked with reviewing Britain's prison system and looking at how the rehabilitation of offenders works.

Government figures show around half of all prisoners go on to re-offend when they get out, with the minister recently travelling to the US to see what methods the Americans use.

Mr Huddleston took part in a parliamentary debate on prisons, asking Mr Gove to make his thoughts clear.

Mr Gove told him projects like Clink Restaurant in Surrey, which takes in offenders so they can work in a live kitchen environment, both making the food and serving people, are models to work on further.

Mr Huddleston said: "Does (Mr Gove) agree that the key to improving employment in prisons is giving more power and control to governors over what goes on in their prisons?

"That includes the accountability and control to ensure that the quality is appropriate."

Mr Gove replied: "I absolutely agree.

"I think many MPs will be aware of the 'Clink Restaurant' social enterprise.

"A visionary prison governor in Surrey and a succession of great governors at HMP Brixton have helped it to expand.

"One of the most impressive prisons I have visited, HMP Parc in Bridgend, is also part of this initiative all because of great governors leading institutions that we can learn from."

Long Lartin Prison, a category 'A' prison based in South Littleton, near Evesham, is in Mr Huddleston's constituency.

Mr Gove has already announced proposals to let some offenders out early if they sign up to English and maths courses behind bars, although some MPs are sceptical.

In a bid to reduce the UK's prison population he also wants to send some locked-up foreign criminals home early.

Some 10,400 immigrants are currently behind bars in the UK for a range of offences, including murder, rape, violence and drug offences.

The Justice Secretary is considering make more use of a Whitehall scheme introduced under Labour, which would offer foreign prisoners early release as long as they left the country.