Blunkett's 'part-time' jails plan

David Blunkett is planning to clear inmates from overcrowded Victorian jails to end Britain's record of failure in reforming criminals.

He intends to create weekend jails for remand prisoners, who will be free from Monday to Friday. The move towards "prisons for the 21st century" will be announced by the Home Secretary at the Prison Service annual conference in Nottingham today.

Mr Blunkett will say: "Prison must be for those who are a danger to the public. I will be tough with violent offenders but smart in coping with the pressures on our prison facilities."

Prison reformers broadly welcomed the plan but Frances Crook of the Howard League for Penal Reform said: "Weekend prisons are not the answer to overcrowded jails."