PRISON staff have branded plans to give out Christmas presents to convicts' children as "sick" and "unnecessary".

Members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) are angry that children of prisoners at the Weare will receive gifts worth £4 each during visiting hours on the weekend of December 21 and 22.

They also voiced concerns that it would give prisoners the opportunity to smuggle in drugs.

The Weare prison's POA branch secretary Steve Martin said: "It is a huge security risk.

"Appalling as it might sound, it is a sad fact that bringing these children in is the ideal way to traffic drugs into the establishment.

"It is a ludicrous idea and we find it quite sick."

Mr Martin, 40, added: "Part of offenders' rehabilitation is a loss of liberties at Christmas time, but this seems to be making life cosy and comfortable for them.

"It's a slap in the face for our staff who are expected to work with no bonus and whose children will be missing their parents over the Christmas period."

POA chairman Peter McParlin, 46, also poured scorn on the venture. He said: "The lines are being blurred here - it feels like we are working in a hotel, rather than a prison.

"Of course we have no problem with giving treats to kids who are disadvantaged by their parents.

"But it seems to be an unnecessary gesture made by the prison service, when we are trying to prevent staffing cuts taking place.

"If the prisoners could be given the opportunity to pay for the presents out of their own earnings, then we would see it as social responsibility.

"That is the attitude we are trying to encourage whilst they are in prison.

"But free handouts like this make a prison sentence seem like a reward, not a deterrent."

Weare governor Sue McCormick defended the prison's action as a gesture of seasonal goodwill.

She said: "These children have not done anything wrong and have to cope with spending Christmas without their fathers.

"I think a little bit of compassion would not go amiss here."

Miss McCormick added: "There is no security risk attached to this whatsoever and only a small amount of money is being spent on it.

"The money is coming from the general purposes fund, made up of profits from the prisoners' shop and donations.

"It was suggested to me by prison staff who were keen on the idea, and I am disappointed that the POA did not see fit to express its concerns to me directly."