A charity is running a project to deter people from ending up in jail.

CHARITY the No Way Trust runs workshops to try to keep young people out of prison by putting them behind bars for a day.

The Prison Me No Way project runs in schools around the country.

Ten schools in Bromley and Bexley boroughs have already signed up for next year.

The day-long events cost £2,400 and provide children, normally in Year 8 and Year 9, with a realistic look inside the prison system.

They are put in a replica cell, get ordered around by volunteer prison workers and look at the problem of anti-social behaviour using a replica street scene.

The charity's national co-ordinator, 58-year-old Doug Evans, says the crime and safety awareness days are more about promoting the truth than shocking pupils.

Former prison officer Mr Evans said: "The charity works with magistrates, the fire brigade, ambulance services, drug workers and police, all under one umbrella.

"We also have retired and serving prison officers volunteering for us."

He added: "We don't go for shock tactics but we do tell the young people the truth.

"We respect them and provide them with both the good and bad side of prison and not what they see on TV or hear on the radio.

"You can't pull the wool over these children's eyes.

"As well as showing the worst of prison, we show people can go in and learn to read and write or pick up a trade. Things aren't always negative."

Since the charity was set up in 1995, the project has visited hundreds of schools.

This included a visit to a crime and safety awareness day at The Priory School, Tintagel Road, Orpington, on June 18.

The event was the first of its kind in the Bromley borough and was funded by the London Fire Brigade.

Deputy headteacher at the Priory School Neil Miller said: "Our school was chosen for the work we already do in the community and the relationship we have with the uniformed services.

"We were happy to do it because it deals with important issues which we want to hit head on and be proactive towards."

He added: "The day was a big success. The staff thought it was excellent and the feedback from the children was very positive.

"We would also really like to try to make this an annual event."

Mr Evans, from Rugby in Warwickshire, added: "You get some children who, no matter what you say, will end up in prison.

"You get some who, no matter what you say, won't end up in prison, but the vast majority of children are somewhere in between.

"All the volunteers can help pass on advice to help keep these kids out of prison. Shock tactics don't work. Truth and honesty does."

eXPERIENCING LIFE IN JAIL

Pupils visited by the trust are taken out of their normal school routine, isolated from their peers and treated like prisoners for the day.

They participate in exercise and meal routines and are escorted to and from workshops as "prisoners".

Several vans have been converted into realistic mock-ups of prison cells so pupils can experience life behind bars.

The trust says participants are encouraged to "value their freedom while experiencing the restrictive regimes of prison first hand".

Pupils also take part in a series of role play exercises, in which they become members of a community on the receiving end of anti-social behaviour.

For more information about the No Way Trust, visit pmnw.co.uk