Work training in areas often seen to be associated with men gives female offenders new opportunities.

A new Academy aiming to get female prisoners into employment when they are released from custody was launched at Downview prison recently by Justice Minister Sam Gyimah and James Timpson, chief executive of Timpson’s.

The Max Spielmann Learning Academy, owned by Timpson’s – who now own photo-printers Max Spielmann as well as their shoe-fixing chain – is to train prisoners in up-to-date photographic industry techniques and let them earn a customer service qualification.