Europe’s biggest trailer makers pride themselves on the versatility of their products – they’ve even transported a unicorn in their time! But even Ifor Williams Trailers were surprised when they were asked to supply a mobile prison cell.

The request came from the North Wales Criminal Justice Board who are mounting a campaign to steer young people away from a life of crime.

They want show youngsters what prison is really like so they’ve had the trailer converted into a very real looking prison cell. Better still, the money to pay for the project has come from the ill-gotten gains of criminals.

The stolen cash, seized by the courts, is being channelled into worthwhile schemes like this one by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT).

Mike Mullis, the Business Manager of the North Wales Criminal Justice Board, explained that their aim was to work with young people and illustrate the true consequences of crime.

Mr Mullis said: "We now use the trailer to take out to show young people and engage with other members of the community at various events.

The beauty of this scheme is that it is paid for by the proceeds of crime snatched off offenders. This is justice in action. It gives a message back to the public that we will take everything we can off offenders at any opportunity.

It’s allowing us to engage more with young people and other members of the public so they can see for themselves what life is like in a cell. It makes it very real indeed. We could never have done it without the help of Ifor Williams Trailers."

It was a sentiment echoed by Cllr Ian Gunning, who represents North Wales Police Authority on PACT.

He said: "I think it’s marvellous, a perfect example of partnership working – with PACT, North Wales Police Authority, North Wales Criminal Justice Board, Altcourse prison and Ifor Williams Trailers joining forces.

It’s a great bit if kit and hopefully we can get it out and about throughout North Wales to drive home the message that crime really does not pay.

I’ll be very interested to see the reaction of young people to finding out what life is like really behind bars - it’s a very small area, very claustrophobic. As an ex copper and a member of the Police Authority, I am delighted that this has been paid for by the proceeds of crime.

The Police Authority is looking at a consultation process with young people and

I think the mobile prison cell will be an integral part of that process.

We’ll be taking them through what it’s like when you’re arrested, what it’s like when you’re charged, what it’s like when you’re attending court with a mock trial and eventually what it’s like when you’re locked up in prison. This brings it to life and makes it very real when you can see what the conditions are really like."

Andrew Reece-Jones, the Design Engineering Manager at Ifor Williams Trailers, said they were extremely pleased to be involved in the project.

He added: "Our trailers have carried all manner of animals and objects over the years – even a computer generated unicorn for a television advert promoting the National Lottery.

This certainly ranks as one of the most unusual requests we’ve had – but it’s a scheme that has the potential to do a great deal of good."

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News » Mobile prison cell drives home the message that crime doesn’t pay