A PRISON has won a national award for the work carried out in one of its workshops.

Durham Prison received the Elton Trophy for its data entry workshop.

Every prison has an industries department where prisoners are employed in a variety of tasks, and the Elton Trophy is awarded every year for the best workshop.

Durham's success began in January last year when prison bosses decided to introduce a wider range of skilled jobs for inmates. An existing workshop was refurbished and fitted with 45 computers to create the data entry workshop.

The prisoners' work involves deciphering digitally scanned images of original parchment books from the 1901 census.

They then input the information so it is easily readable. In January next year, the information will be launched on the Internet, allowing the public to access details.

The Elton Trophy was presented at a ceremony in the prison chapel last week.

A prison spokesman said: "As well as the enthusiasm of the prisoners, the dedication and professionalism of the staff who run the workshop has been recognised in the prison receiving this award."