THE Duchess of Cornwall has visited the Erlestoke Prison as part of her role as Royal patron of the charity Friends of Erlestoke Prison.

The Duchess met members of staff, prisoners, Friends volunteers, trustees and supporters during her visit on Tuesday.

It was her second visit to the category C male prison; she previously visited in March 2012 to attend Pimlico Opera’s production of Les Miserables, which they performed with serving prisoners.

In 2013 the Duchess became patron of the charity and this visit was an opportunity to learn more about the Friends’ work and that of supporting organisations, including education and training that prisoners receive.

On her tour the Duchess was guided by acting governor David Quinell and visited the education department and library, the prison workshop, the chapel and the visitors’ hall and centre.

Speaking to learning manager Elizabeth Williams about inmates who were learning basic literacy and reading, the Duchess said: “It is brilliant what is going on here, it is absolutely fantastic.

“It does make such a difference to people’s lives and they get so much enjoyment from it.”

Friends chairman Belinda Southwell said: “We as a charity are extremely honoured that the Duchess has visited today as our royal patron and it is the first time she has come for a tour and learned more about our work.

“The idea of her first becoming a patron was broached by another one of our patrons, John Bush, in 2012 when she visited the prison last time and the Duchess took up the five-year role in 2013.”

The Duchess spoke to volunteers who drive family and friends of prisoners to prison from Westbury and Devizes as part of a transport scheme.