Outraged Shipley MP Philip Davies has gone head to head with his Bradford South counterpart Gerry Sutcliffe over revelations that prisoners are as likely to be found before the diving board as they are the parole board.

Questions from Tory Mr Davies in the House of Commons have forced the Government to admit that five prisons across the country have private swimming pool facilities for inmates.

Mr Davies hit out as Justice Minister Mr Sutcliffe confirmed that London's Holloway, Portland in Dorset, Aylesbury, Standford Hill and Blantyre House, both in Kent, all have pools used by prisoners.

Mr Sutcliffe added: "Where operational circumstances permit, these pools are made available to local groups."

Mr Davies, who has repeatedly hit out at the "lax" prison system, said it was hardly surprising re-offending rates were high if inmates had access to such good facilities.

He said: "It is absolutely appalling. People in prisons who have committed crime should not be having such luxuries.

"It is offensive to think they can enjoy swimming pools when they are in prison. No wonder re-offending is so high. Prisons should not be resembling holiday resorts.

"This is too far."

The information revealed in a parlia-mentary answer comes weeks after it was revealed 1,500 prisoners have Sky TV in their cells.

And earlier this year Mr Davies revealed that more than 60 per cent of criminals locked up in Yorkshire's prisons have the keys to their own cells. At the time Mr Sutcliffe defended the move, saying: "Keys are there to help people have more responsibility for when they come out."

Mr Sutcliffe also urged Mr Davies to visit Leeds prison to dispel his myth of prisons as "holiday camps."

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