Prisoners recycle hundreds of bikes for hospital staff

An innovative prison programme that encourages inmates to repair and recycle bikes will aim to refurbish over 900 bikes for hospital staff.

The project, which is run in HMP Hewell and HMP Aylesbury, not only helps recycle bikes, but also provides specialist training to prisoners helping them gain valuable skills and providing more job opportunities after they are released.

The repurposed bikes will be distributed to hospital staff and children from disadvantaged backgrounds across England.

The first delivery of donated bikes into prisons is due to made later this month with the first delivery of bikes being made to keyworkers from the end of November.

The scheme has so far saved around 200 bikes and members of the public can donate bikes at Lifecycle Project hubs; Peterborough Hospital, West Middlesex Hospital and John Radcliffe Hospital, before being sent to HMP Hewell and HMP Aylesbury.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Equipping prisoners with the skills to help secure a job upon release is vital to enabling them to turn their lives around, providing them with a purpose and allowing them to give something back to society. The Lifecycle project is a terrific scheme, providing skills in demand, and recognising the doctors, nurses and other key workers who have been the heroes of our pandemic response.”