Courses on space could also be offered at other prisons

Around 12 prisoners have enrolled on a space exploration degree course offered by the University of Glamorgan.

As part of the 30 week course, the prisoners will star gaze from the exercise yard, learn astronomy and the use of robotics in space.

A spokeswoman for the Prison Service said that education was an important part of rehabilitation.

The course, equivalent to one module of a degree, will be taught at the jail every week for three hours for the next 30 weeks.

Prisoners will study the solar system and its planets as well as looking at planetary discoveries from outer space.

Professor Mark Brake, from the Centre of Astronomy and Science Communication at the university, organised the course.

"It is part of our outreach programme and I think the students will find it really interesting," he said.

Twelve inmates have signed up for the course

"They will get the chance to find out the role robotics have in space exploration as well as learning more about the planets.

"They will be able to star gaze from the exercise yard," he said.

Professor Brake said the prison course was part of the university's outreach programme. It was hoped to offer a distance learning course to other prisons, organisations and individuals in the future.

A spokeswoman from the Prison Service said that educational courses were an important part of rehabilitating inmates for release.

"It is one of many courses on offer," said the spokeswoman. "The course aims to increase prisoners' numeracy, literacy, IT, decision making, report writing and presentational skills, providing prisoners with tools to help them find work on the outside.

"The course will take place in HMP Cardiff resettlement unit.

"It is a first level course gaining 20 credits at university level. All persons achieving the credits will be awarded a certificate reflecting their achievement. "The resettlement unit at HMP Cardiff is committed to working within the community and carries out a wide range of projects including those linked to local churches and landscaping projects.