Teenage yobs are being shown the errors of their ways by hardened criminals including thieves and murderers.

A group of youngsters, most of whom are on acceptable behaviour contracts - so-called "mini Asbos" - have been taken to visit inmates at Lewes prison.

And the harsh realities of a life behind bars has persuaded them to stay on the straight-and-narrow.

Eight teenagers from the Bognor area have so far made the trip and not one of them has ended up back in the courts.

A 13-year-old involved in the scheme said: "They talked to us and I thought they were crazy. They said they would steal my trainers if I came here and would sell them and there was nothing I could do about it.

"I don't ever want to go back there."

The youngster said the visit was good because it had forced him clean up his act.

And he had a clear message for other young people getting into trouble. He said: "You are being stupid and messing up your lives. You don't want to end up in a place like Lewes."

A 12-year-old on the scheme said: "It was scary. Even the cleanest room was dirty.

"I also remember one the boys in the group asking one of the prisoners if he was going home after speaking to us. He got told he would be in this place for life."

Arun District Council's antisocial behaviour team is organising the trips.

Community warden Kez Ealing, who accompanied two of the youngsters, said: "In the car on the way to the prison they were full of bravado, saying how it must be a laugh in prison and how they could 'do time' standing on their heads.

"Once we arrived at the prison that bravado disappeared very quickly.

"The most interesting part of the visit, and in my opinion the bit that will have the most impact on the young people's behaviour, was the talk by two prisoners.

"They gave a warts-and-all account of prison life and you could see the colour run from the young people's faces.

"These two prisoners were in for attempted murder and armed robbery. They were both close to tears at some points as they told us about their lives in prison and how they miss their families."

Angela Hibbin, antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, said: "The initiative has so far proved to be really successful and I have no doubt changed the lives of these young people and made them look at things very differently.

"It's had a knock on effect in their communities as they have been spreading the word about what prison life is really like and encouraging more young people to get involved in activities that the council has organised."

Roger Elkins, cabinet member for community safety and chairman of the Arun Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership said: "Seeing the realities of prison life is a real wake up call to a lot of them about where their behaviour could lead."

The young people made the visits with a community warden, police community support officer or Arun's youth diversionary officer.

Since the visits young people and others in the area have been approached about getting involved in projects with the youth service and the council's youth diversionary officer, Laura Fullard, said they have all been keen to be involved.

Miss Fullard said: "When you ask young people why they get into trouble and cause antisocial behaviour the most common answer you get it because they are bored and there is nothing to do.

"Different activities such as football, dance and film and music workshops are now being set up on the estate as a result."

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