A remarkable look inside Reading Prison has been provided by its owner as exclusive access to the site was given to the media.

The Prison was purchased by the Ziran Education Foundation in a bidding process launched by the Ministry of Justice, in an announcement made in January. 

Chinese businessman Channing Bi, who founded the organisation, has begun discussions with stakeholders about the future of the site. 

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A brief talk with him nonetheless revealed some key details about the acquisition and the next steps. 

Mr Bi said the site was purchased for £7 million, however, he clarified that the figure does not include any building works. 

Asked why the foundation was headquartered at a business park in Colchester, Mr Bi curtly replied: "We've now moved our organisation to Reading."

Finally, asked to explain what the foundation does, Mr Bi said: "We are focused on spiritual education, for example, we support people to study meditation.

The questions were interpreted by his son, Dillon Bi.

Furthermore, the conversion of the site into flats was ruled out.

Earlier in October, it was revealed the site will be called The ReCentre, with initial discussions indicating that the foundation aims to provide a hotel and museum on the site. 

The visit was notable as it is the first time the prison has been open in years. The last inmates were moved more than a decade ago in November 2013, with the site closing the following year.

The Prison was briefly opened for the Art Angel exhibition in 2016, but since then it has been closed.

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The media visit was facilitated alongside Matt Rodda the Labour MP for Reading Central, and Tony Page, the former mayor with decades of service on Reading Borough Council.

The visit involved going into the cell that held Oscar Wilde, the poet who was jailed for gross homosexual indecency from 1895-1897.

Mr Rodda said: "I find this an incredibly powerful place to come in the Gaol site, as anybody can imagine, what happened to him was absolutely appalling, and the effect of being imprisoned on him were so enormous.

"So coming here is quite powerful really, and it makes you think quite deeply about his life and what happened to him.

"He was treated very unfairly at the time, in a way that is completely incomprehensible today.

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"And still there are forms of prejudice around in the world against gay people that is completely wrong, it does make you feel deeply about that.

"It's quite a privilege to come in and just think what's gone on in his life and his art."

Oscar Wilde died three years after his discharge in 1900.

The Art Angel exhibition featured artwork and recitals of Wilde's poem 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. 

There were hopes that Reading council itself would be able to purchase the Prison, a bid that failed. 

Asked what he will do to push for the site to one day open for the benefit of the people of Reading, Mr Rodda said: "The council needs to have a much more detailed discussion with the new owner to try and establish what his plans are, to look at all the details, and to see how proposals can be taken forward that do benefit everybody locally."

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Mr Bi and Ziran Education Foundation representatives are in regular discussions with Mr Page, the former mayor and veteran councillor who retired after 51 years of service this year.

In keeping with the spiritual focus of the foundation, a prayer flag and Buddhist artwork and ornaments were installed in the building. 

The visit took place on Friday, October 25.