Animals, music and dance help to keep prisoners entertained in Scottish jails

A petting zoo and Chinese dance performance were two of the attractions laid on for prisoners in jails north of the border this year.

In Courier Country, Perth Prison inmates enjoyed a street poetry workshop while Castle Huntly held a £247 steroid awareness session hosted by bodybuilder Dave Crosland.

New figures from the Scottish Prison Service have revealed a host of speakers and entertainers including Inverness Male Choir and Scottish Opera have performed behind bars this year.

The majority of the events at the 11 jails and Polmont Young Offenders Institution in the publication, which covers the last two years, were provided free of charge.

Last year, prisoners at Perth and their children enjoyed the Animal Man petting zoo at a cost of £200 and a £900 panto from M&M Productions.

Among the more unusual events provided for inmates was a Chinese Lion dance troupe performance in Inverness Prison.

A Scottish Prison Service spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Prison Service welcomes these initiatives as they provide a valuable contribution to supporting those in our care and their families.”