Promoting healthier lifestyles for prisoners - National Audit Office

What others do and how they do it...As a 'lifer' prison, the average age of our prisoners is relativelyhigh. At Shepton Mallet we’ve tried carpet bowls, table tennis,board games and Pilates classes in the gym as ways of gettingthe men more active. The most successful class has been theover-45s, where people can use the equipment that best suittheir personal fitness needs, and some light circuit training.It’s been attracting 15 prisoners a session.As part of the evidence for their qualifications, 20 prisoners atThe Verne are working with others over a range of activities.Some 28 prisoners are those who would not normally come to agym. Some have been referred by the medical staff.