A PRISON is throwing open its gates - but only to let people in.

People living in and around Dorchester are being invited to a special open day at the town's category B jail on September 10 to see what goes on behind the walls.

Staff, police officers, representatives from security firm Reliance, Victim Support, Dorset Wildlife Trust and The Thomas Hardye Society will be there to show guests everything that goes on inside.

Visitors will be able take part in guided tours of the outside of the prison, see a mock-up of a cell, read about the history of criminal justice in Dorchester and learn about what is done to rehabilitate inmates.

The open day is the brainchild of the prison's governor, Steve Holland.

Mr Holland said it had been timed to coincide with the 700th anniversary of Dorchester's becoming the county town of Dorset with the granting of the first prison charter by Edward I in 1305.

He said: "We are a community jail. The vast majority of our prisoners come from the area and they will go back into the local community when they leave us.

"Yet I bet there are lots of people who live in Dorchester who don't even know there's a prison here. It's on the back streets, tucked away and many people just want to forget about it.

"I would like people to come and have a look. We want people to be able to regard the prison as theirs. They can't do that without coming to see what we do."

Mr Holland said the jail had played an important part in the life of the town for hundreds of years and was mentioned a number of times in the novels and short stories of Thomas Hardy.

He said he was pleased that the Thomas Hardy Society would be at the prison to take part in the open day.

He said: "We are also pleased that Dorset Wildlife Trust will be here to talk about the wildlife living in the prison grounds."

Mr Holland said the entry on the day was free, but donations were being requested for Victim Support.

He said T-shirts designed by current prisoners would also be on sale in aid of the charity. He added: "It will be an interesting day for people who want to know anything about what goes on inside. We very much hope people will want to come along and find out a bit more about it."