UK Prisoners Outearn Guards and Teachers

A report in The Telegraph reveals that some prisoners in UK low-security, open prisons are earning more than the officers who guard them and several professional occupations, including secondary teachers and midwives.

These inmates are permitted to work outside during the day as part of a rehabilitation program, but the income disparity has raised concerns.

The highest-paid inmate earned a net pay of $46,005 last year, with gross earnings reaching approximately $57,640.

Comparatively, the average salary of a prison guard is $35,085, with fresh recruits earning about $30,073 annually.

Data from the Home Office also shows that nine inmates earned more than $28,694 last year, while some, working lucrative jobs like lorry driving, netted more than $37,591.

Despite deductions such as taxes, fines, and a charity levy, prisoners still outpaced midwives, biochemists, and psychotherapists in take-home pay.

A prison service spokesman confirmed that inmates working on temporary release are subject to these deductions.