Wandsworth Prison commemorated 150 years of service last week with a visit by HRH The Princess Royal, who unveiled a plaque and presented eight bravery awards to officers, writes Paul Askew.

As patron of the Butler Trust which encourages effective care for prisoners by recognising excellence in prison staff Princess Anne visited the vulnerable prisoner unit, the laundry and the care and separation unit, which received praise earlier this year after improvements following a critical inspection report in 1999.

The Royal guest then went on to the gym, where blind children from Linden Lodge School in Southfields were having their annual Christmas party.

The school has used the prison's facilities for around eight years. Headteacher Roger Legate said: "We've got groups coming here every week.

"The prison provides a PE programme with a selected group of inmates who are very interested in working with children and developing their skills. For our children it's a wonderful opportunity."

One inmate, Freddie, who has been working in the gym for more than a year, said: "I'd like to work with children in the future as I have kids myself. They are very lovely to be with."

The event concluded with a special award ceremony to prison officers who had carried out acts of bravery.

Paul Meredith, who rescued a suicidal inmate who set fire to his cell in April, said: "I'm honoured. Princess Anne is my favourite Royal."

The category B institution was first commissioned in 1847 and was completed four years later. It has a maximum population of 1,371 prisoners and an annual budget of £23 million.

Famous inmates include Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs, who is included in a special exhibition on the history of the prison at the adjacent Clark House in Heathfield Road.

December 14, 2001 11:00