Jail chief backs Archer's new job

The head of the Prison Service has defended the decision to allow Jeffrey Archer out of jail on day release to work as a theatre stagehand.

Martin Narey, the service's director general, insisted it was "absolutely normal" for Lord Archer, who has served more than 12 months of a four-year sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice, to be allowed to work at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln.

Mr Narey said: "This is an exceptional prisoner, but he is being treated no differently from any other."

He said it was routine for prisoners who have served a quarter of their sentence to work outside, either as a preparation for a return to civilian life or as a way of giving something back to the community.

Archer, 62, who started work at the theatre yesterday, will be let out five days a week from North Sea Camp Prison near Boston.

Mr Narey said: "He is offering some reparation to the community, including working with special needs children. He will be helping those less fortunate than himself. That is much more constructive than him just continuing to spend his time in prison every day."

The day-release scheme could be withdrawn if he misbehaved, Mr Narey said.

"He won't be going to his home every Sunday, although he will - as will other prisoners in identical circumstances - if his behaviour maintains its current level, which is very good, get these privileges."

The former MP and multimillionaire writer was nearly late returning to his cell on Sunday after getting lost on the way back from a visit to his home in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire. He flagged down a passing police car for directions.