Governor Mike Conway will oversee 840 male and female prisoners from March 28, next year.

He wants inmates to use imprisonment productively so on release they ease quickly back into society, fully rehabilitated.

The Evening Telegraph was given a tour of HMP Peterborough along with Mayor Raja Akhtar and other Peterborough councillors.

Prison governor Mike Conway, who has spent 25 years in the prison service, said: "The construction was carried out with a committment to space, colour and natural light.

"The environment is paramount to a prisoner's successful rehabilitation. We want to make sure prisoners use their time productively instead of simply sitting in their cells all day doing time."

Prisoners will have the chance to gain vocational qualifications, such as hairdressing, cookery and manual skills so they will be more employable on release.

The prison has been separated into two identical areas. It will house 480 men on the blue side and 360 women on the red side. All the inmates will be aged over 21 and it will be a Category B prison.

Category B caters for prisoners for whom the very highest conditions of security are not necessary, but escape must be made very difficult.

Costing more than £20 million a year to house inmates, each side has a fully equipped gym and hospital.

It is unknown who the inmates will be, but rumours are still rife that serial killer Rosemary West, who is serving 10 life sentences, could be one.

HMP Peterborough will be the largest purpose made mixed prison in the UK and one of the largest in Europe. It is being built on the site of the former Baker Perkins factory, in Westfield Road, Westwood.

It will take all people on remand from courts in Cambridgeshire and some existing prisoners from overcrowded jails in other parts of the UK.

Cllr Akhtar said: "It certainly looks very modern, I am impressed by the effort which has gone in to make the rehabilitation process easier."

Governor is interviewing job applicants

GOVERNOR Mike Conway and his colleagues are busy interviewing applicants for 400 prison jobs.

Among the positions available, which are aimed at people from the area, are auxiliary officer, custody officer, nursery nurse, PE teacher, administration worker and support staff.

A 10-week paid training course will be undertaken by to successful applicants.

• To receive an information pack call 01784 425 767 or visit www.ukds.co.uk.