A stone production company in Dorset is going back in time 150 years by using inmates at a nearby prison to work in the quarries.

Instead of hard labour though, these prisoners are being paid.

In the 19th Century, forced labour was used to break up stone on the island of Portland.

Now Hanson Bath and Portland Stone has reintroduced prisoner labour to give offenders the chance to go through an interview, gain experience, get a reference and earn a wage.

Portland stone was used in many famous buildings

It is hoped the chance to do a proper job as they approach the end of their sentences will encourage prisoners to go straight after their release.

Portland stone is world famous, and was used to build some of England's most famous buildings, including St Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum.

Today the prisoners help in the production line and are used to assist the experienced stone masons at the company.

They work for between one and three months, collecting their wage on release.

If they can say to a potential employer that they have experience then they are more likely to get a job. General Manager, Jonathan Pitt

Jonathan Pitt, general manager of the firm, said: "It is now very different from when prisoners were sentenced to hard labour and worked in chain gangs.

"We work closely with the prisons who suggest suitable candidates to work with us.

"They go through an interview and are introduced to the workplace and get used to starting work at 8am and finishing at 4pm.

Clean noses

"If they keep their nose clean they are paid and can get a reference which helps them get jobs when they are released."

Greg Cunningham, acting head of prisoner learning and development at Portland Young Offenders' Institute, said: "It has a number of benefits as far as we are concerned.

"It gives the offender a valuable insight into being treated as a normal part of the workforce.

"There is plenty of evidence to indicate that having stable employment significantly reduces the risk of re-offending."