INMATES at HMP Glenochil have donated a huge haul of goods to a local foodbank in a bid to help the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the last week of April, prisoners at the Wee County jail were provided with an extra canteen sheet which they could use to select items from.

They were told that after they had paid for the items out of their own pockets, they would be passed on to The Gate in Alloa.

The scheme was optional but, incredibly, a large number of inmates opted to take part.

After they had all made their selections, canteen staff processed the items, and they were then dropped off at The Gate at the start of last week.

The scheme was created by prison bosses after inmates expressed a desire to help others during the coronavirus outbreak

Indeed, a notice to prisoner sent around the HMP Glenochil last month said: "The governor has received a number of letters from prisoners who have expressed a desire to contribute in some way to the community as a show of solidarity in these difficult times."

A spokesperson for The Gate praised all the inmates who took part in the scheme.

They said: "The prisoners responded to the needs in the community, donating their own money in buying these things.

"This is money they had, and they could buy food for themselves with every week, so it's a real sacrifice for them.

"We were incredibly moved by the response – it was really unexpected, and we're delighted to be able to receive it."

HMP Glenochil manages both short-term and long-term male offenders, including those with life and extended sentences.

It is also one of the major sites in Scotland for managing sex offenders.

There are currently around 660 inmates.