BOLTON MP and former barrister Yasmin Qureshi has welcomed Government plans to overhaul the prison system in the UK.

During the Queen's Speech at the state opening of Parliament, Her Majesty outlined Government proposals for major reforms.

The Prison and Courts Reform Bill could lead to satellite-tagged inmates being sent home on weekdays and re-offending league tables being published.

New 'reform' prisoners could be opened, with emphasis on training, rehabilitation and education.

There will also be more statistics on post-release offending and a modernisation of courts and tribunals, with a bigger emphasis on technology.

Bolton South East MP Ms Qureshi, who worked as a criminal barrister before entering politics, has called for prison reforms in the past.

She said: "I have to say that these are good proposals and good ideas.

"I was on the Justice Select Committee last year and these were the kind of things we were looking at.

"Not everyone benefits from being sent off to prison and I think we need to focus more on stopping people from re-offending through training, education and support where necessary."