PORTLAND'S Verne prison has begun its new life as a jail for sex offenders.

There was no big fanfare as the former Victorian military barracks, previously a prison then an immigration detention centre for the Home Office, was relaunched as a Category C men's prison again in the summer.

This time its role is to exclusively hold sex criminals.

It is one of a handful of UK prisons dedicated to holding those convicted of sexual offences in response to an increase in the number of abusers.

Others include Albany on the Isle of Wight, Ashfield in Gloucestershire and Usk in Wales.

Evidence shows that holding sex offenders together makes them more likely to engage in programmes, and it also better value for money as resources are targeted where they are most needed.

The Verne is reopening in phases as work inside is completed on the different wings.

More than 240 jobs have initially been created for prison and probation staff with the reopening of the facility. It is understood that a number of these previously worked at the site when it was a prison before and then an IRC. They have been on detached duties elsewhere before returning to Portland.

Prison staff numbers will build up further over the coming months.

Jobs are also provided by other organisations which provide a range of services to the prison.

The Verne is accepting men over the age of 18 who have completed the Sexual Offences Treatment Programme (SOTP) and other relevant courses as part of their rehabilitation. Inmates must have more than a year left to serve.

The Verne was a jail for 60 years before it was turned into an IRC in 2013. It fulfilled this role until 2017 when it was announced it would return to the public sector prison estate.

It is understood a substantial amount of money has been invested in converting it back to a prison to ensure it is safe, secure and fit for purpose.

When fully opened it will be able to take up to 580 offenders – a similar amount to when it was a prison previously.

A Prison Service spokesman said:“The Verne opened as a closed prison for category C men convicted of sexual offences on 23 July 2018.

“Protecting the public is our priority and, as with all closed prisons, it will have strict security measures.”

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said the jail currently had 146 prisoners.

He said the prison hoped to have two further units completed by Christmas and the remainder in January and February, so it will be fully operational by early spring 2019.

Mr Drax added: "It's very good news. I'm delighted it's been retained as a prison and created extremely valuable jobs."