Archer moves to new jail

Lord Archer was jailed in July

The disgraced Tory peer Lord Archer has been transferred to an open prison in rural Lincolnshire.

The former novelist has been moved to the North Sea Camp jail near Boston from the tougher Wayland prison near Thetford in Norfolk.

Lord Archer, former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, was found guilty in July of perjury and perverting the course of justice at his 1987 libel trial. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

The North Sea Camp is six miles east of Boston on 1,000 acres of land reclaimed from the sea. Much of the land is used for farming, which is the prison's main industry.

Pig rearing

He was originally sent to high-security Belmarsh prison in south east London, but was moved to Wayland after being reclassified from category D to C.

The regime at North Sea Camp centres around farming and gardening.

Inmates include 1,000 pigs, which are kept for breeding. Their offspring command high prices among pig rearers on the open market.

The main emphasis of prison activity is in the preparation of prisoners for release.

English classes

Up to 25% of inmates work in the community in a variety of jobs, including driving taxis.

Lord Archer will have the key to his own room, and the chance to attend English classes.

He will be allowed to unlock his cell and have breakfast at 7.40am followed by work from 8.15am to 11.45am.

Then he will have lunch until work restarts at 1.30pm until 4.30pm. Tea starts at 5pm before free association until 8.30pm and the prisoners are locked up for the shortly afterwards.