Mosques are to be twinned with Scottish prisons as part of a scheme to reduce reoffending rates among Muslims, the Times has reported.

Scotland's largest jail, HM Prison Barlinnie, has partnered with Glasgow Central Mosque to allow prisoners to receive spiritual input before they are released. Inmates will also be allowed carry out work placements at the mosque.

"As Muslims we are keen to help the community and to reduce reoffending," said Nabeel Shaikh, the general secretary at Glasgow Central Mosque. "We will do everything we can, with our partners in the Scottish Prison Service, to make that happen."

The decision to join forces was made at a summit at the mosque, Scotland's largest place of Islamic worship, this month. Prison governor Ian Whitehead said there were only benefits to the initiative.

"Working to reduce the risk of reoffending is a win-win situation for everyone and there are only positives to be gained," he said.

"If it works well and we can get positive results then there is absolutely no reason it could not work in other prisons."

There are also plans to make a formal policy allowing Muslims to share a cell with fellow believers.

"It makes sense because it means you won't get people being disturbed or woken up when they have to pray five times a day," said Whitehead.

The scheme is a pilot and Whitehead hopes to roll it out across prisons throughout the UK if successful.