Prisoners accidentally sent the names and phone numbers of magistrates

The magistrates' year book, featuring names and phone numbers of members across Norfolk, was accidentally sent to a print workshop at HMP Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

All hard copies and electronic copies of the year book have since been destroyed and security measures tightened up, HMCS said in a statement. The area director has written to all the magistrates to apologise.

One Norfolk magistrate told the BBC: "It doesn't particularly concern me as anyone can look in the phone book and find my name, but some magistrates could be really worried. There will be those who will be terrified."

The year book does not contain addresses.

HMP Standford Hill, based on an ex-RAF station, can hold up to 462 inmates.

Prisoners are employed in its workshop, works and horticulture departments.

HMCS said: "A magistrates' year book containing magistrates' personal information was sent in error to a print workshop at HMP Standford Hill.

"HMP Standford Hill is a category D prison and the workshop, which is supervised at all times, is staffed by prisoners assessed as low risk.

All hard copies and electronic copies of the document at

the prison have now been destroyed.

"The screening process for documents to be printed at the prison workshop has been made more secure to ensure this does not happen again."

HMCS officials said prison workshops "provide valuable work experience and constructive activity" for prisoners as part of their rehabilitation.

"Doing a proper job in prison reduces the chance that prisoners will reoffend and increases the chance of them finding employment on release," a spokesman said.