Prisoners in British jails are earning more than the officers that guard them as well as secondary teachers, biochemists, psychotherapists and midwives, according to a report in The Telegraph. Inmates in some of the low-security, open prisons are allowed to venture outside for work, as long as they return to the jail confines by the end of the day. The move is part of a concerted effort to rehabilitate the prisoners and prepare them for a life back in society. However, the pay difference between the inmates and those belonging to the civil society has raised questions regarding income disparity in the UK.
The highest-paid inmate in the UK received a net pay of $46,005 last year, which means their gross salary was about $57,640. The data by the Home Office showed that nine other inmates had net earnings of more than $28,694, which means the average working prisoner was being paid just under $25,061 per year. Meanwhile, the average salary of a prison guard is $35,085, while fresh recruits are paid approximately $30,073 per year.
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As per the Ministry of Justice, there were two other high-paid prisoners who netted more than $37,591 after deductions last year and another seven who put between $28,694 and $37,591 into private bank accounts. Although the prisoners do a variety of jobs, the high-earning individuals engage in one of the most lucrative jobs — driving lorries.
“Some offenders, towards the end of their sentence, receive a release on temporary licence. This sees them spend some of their day in the community, often working, before returning to prison,” a prison service spokesman was quoted as saying by the publication.
“If they are working, their earnings are subject to tax, court fines and a levy of up to 40 per cent, which funds a charity for victims,” they added.
Despite the deductions, the prisoners were ahead of midwives who had an average take-home pay of $45,889 while biochemists ($45,844), psychotherapists ($45,864) and chartered surveyors ($43,908) also netted less than them.
