Charles does time at Her Majesty's pleasure: Prince visits inmates at Leeds prison (but takes THREE protection officers with him)

  • The Prince of Wales met prisoners at HMP Leeds this morning
  • Was escorted by a trio of hefty bodyguards during his tour
  • Victorian jail is home to a special rehabilitation project for offenders
  • Charles is currently in the middle of a day-long tour of North Yorkshire 

The Prince of Wales was behind bars at Leeds Prison this morning to meet inmates preparing for life after release.

Charles, 67, also toured the Victorian jail, a Category B institution for male offenders, but was flanked by three burly protection officers throughout.

His visit, the first of a series of six engagements in Yorkshire today, was to see the work being done by the Through the Gates project which helps rehabilitate prisoners.

Behind bars: Prince Charles pictured arriving at Leeds Prison to meet the inmates this morning

Behind bars: Prince Charles pictured arriving at Leeds Prison to meet the inmates this morning

Staying safe: The prince was accompanied by three protection officers as he toured the Victorian jail

Staying safe: The prince was accompanied by three protection officers as he toured the Victorian jail

The prince was introduced to some of the Muslim prisoners, who account for one in six of those held at the jail, and are the main beneficiaries of the scheme which is part of the Mosaic project.

Set up to support people from deprived backgrounds, Through the Gates prepares prisoners for reintegration into the community and mentors them during their final six months in jail.

'Our mentees really appreciate the fact that we are volunteers,' said Sadia Ahmed, a mentor on the scheme.

'We choose to give our time to help them successfully transition back into their communities, rather than members of staff who are paid to help, that is the biggest difference with our intervention.

Mohammed Hussain, who is among the Leeds prisoners being helped, added: 'I've been in and out of prison quite a few times now.  

Paying attention: Charles listens intently while talking to a pair of prison guards at the institution

Paying attention: Charles listens intently while talking to a pair of prison guards at the institution

Back to work: Today's tour was his first official visit in England after spending last month on holiday

Back to work: Today's tour was his first official visit in England after spending last month on holiday

Mingling: Charles met inmates and mentors taking part in a rehabilitation scheme for prisoners

Mingling: Charles met inmates and mentors taking part in a rehabilitation scheme for prisoners

Important work: The charity programme has helped cut reoffending rates among prisoners

Important work: The charity programme has helped cut reoffending rates among prisoners

'With the Mosaic programme, I feel for the first time now that I have direction about what I want to do after I leave prison, and I'm thankful to my Mosaic mentor for guiding me on this journey.'

Charles, who is now back at work following a month off over the summer, then moved on to the Abraham Moon plant in Guiseley - the last fully vertical woollen mill in England.

The prince is patron of the Campaign for Wool and among supporters meeting him at the factory was Blur bassist Alex James.

'I think he must be a shoo-in for best dressed man of the year,' said James afterwards. 'He's a brilliant dresser and a great ambassador for wool.

'It's great to see places like this that have had a new lease of life. You've got this wonderful traditional building that's been brought up to date. 

Dapper: Stylish Charles looked thoroughly at home during a visit to the Abraham Moon wool plant

Dapper: Stylish Charles looked thoroughly at home during a visit to the Abraham Moon wool plant

Warm welcome: The prince was met by a crowd of friendly locals as he arrived for the visit

Warm welcome: The prince was met by a crowd of friendly locals as he arrived for the visit

Inspection: Charles looks around the plant which he visited as part of his work for the Campaign for Wool

Inspection: Charles looks around the plant which he visited as part of his work for the Campaign for Wool

'I think people are starting to realise that wool is not just a traditional fibre, it's really good for the modern world as well.'

Mill worker Margaret Fisher, 76, said of Charles: 'He asked me if we were as busy as we've ever been and were we getting busier, and I said yes. A lot of people are going under but we're going up.'

'He was very, very interested. I've not met him before but I've met his mother.'

Charles, who launched the Campaign for Wool in 2010, was shown all parts of the mill, which was started on the site in 1837. 

It employs more than 200 people and makes luxury woollens for customers including Marks & Spencer, Laura Ashley and Paul Smith.

Tasty: Charles was treated to a slice of cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes

Tasty: Charles was treated to a slice of cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes

Tucking in: The prince certainly appeared to enjoy the experience and happily tucked into the cheese
Tucking in: The prince certainly appeared to enjoy the experience and happily tucked into the cheese

Tucking in: The prince certainly appeared to enjoy the experience and happily tucked into the cheese

All smiles: The royal was on top form and chatted happily to locals throughout

All smiles: The royal was on top form and chatted happily to locals throughout

Managing director John Walsh said afterwards: 'It was an absolute pleasure to meet and talk to His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, and have the opportunity to hear him speak about the importance of British and Commonwealth wool and its use within the fashion and interior industry.'

The prince spent the afternoon visiting other Yorkshire businesses, including a Wensleydale Creamery and the Ure Salmon Trust.

His day ends later this evening with a visit to farm shop and to the Helles Barracks in Catterick where Charles will review the Parachute Regiment training company.

The Prince of Wales is the Parachute Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief.  

Taking it all in it: Charles has the finer points of cheese making explained to him

Taking it all in it: Charles has the finer points of cheese making explained to him

Shop: Charles' visit to the Wensleydale Creamery also included a trip to the on-site shop

Shop: Charles' visit to the Wensleydale Creamery also included a trip to the on-site shop

Starting the process: Charles inspects some curds and whey while touring the Creamery

Starting the process: Charles inspects some curds and whey while touring the Creamery

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