21 August 2008
Local MP visits Prison, to see if placing high-risk prisoners in an open prison is working.
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown visited HMP Leyhill, the open prison a few miles from Wotton-under-Edge Prison last week. On 11 July Mr Clifton-Brown condemned the Government’s decision to place “high risk” and “very high risk” prisoners there, and pledged to visit the Prison. He also wanted to investigate the severe problems of prisoners simply walking out of the prison that Leyhill has experienced in the last ten years.
Mr Clifton-Brown commented on his latest visit: "I was keen discuss the policy of putting high risk prisoners, in an open prison. I spent over two hours in Prison, having detailed discussions and visiting the facilities. I was impressed that the number of prisoners absconding has been reduced, certainly compared to two years ago. Drug use has also been curtailed, with both mandatory and voluntary testing. These results have been achieved by a well established and successful rehabilitation programme, to reintegrate prisoners, even those of whom are “high risk”, gradually and safely into society. I recognise that the Prison Staff are doing a very difficult job, under extreme conditions.”
This Prison, as Mr Clifton-Brown was reminded is a deliberately open prison, and there are no gates or high fences around the four and a half mile perimeter: “The work ethic is an essential part of inmates’ reintegration, and through organised working parties and work placements they do a huge amount in the community. I was very pleased to learn, for example the enormous amount of relief work that was completed by prisoners in Gloucester.”
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
“Overall my impression was favourable, and I believe it is an essential part of the prison system to be able to reintegrate long serving prisoners into society at the end of their sentences, otherwise they may simply reoffend and end up back in jail. Leyhill performs this role well.”
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown visited HMP Leyhill, the open prison a few miles from Wotton-under-Edge Prison last week. On 11 July Mr Clifton-Brown condemned the Government’s decision to place “high risk” and “very high risk” prisoners there, and pledged to visit the Prison. He also wanted to investigate the severe problems of prisoners simply walking out of the prison that Leyhill has experienced in the last ten years.
Mr Clifton-Brown commented on his latest visit: "I was keen discuss the policy of putting high risk prisoners, in an open prison. I spent over two hours in Prison, having detailed discussions and visiting the facilities. I was impressed that the number of prisoners absconding has been reduced, certainly compared to two years ago. Drug use has also been curtailed, with both mandatory and voluntary testing. These results have been achieved by a well established and successful rehabilitation programme, to reintegrate prisoners, even those of whom are “high risk”, gradually and safely into society. I recognise that the Prison Staff are doing a very difficult job, under extreme conditions.”
This Prison, as Mr Clifton-Brown was reminded is a deliberately open prison, and there are no gates or high fences around the four and a half mile perimeter: “The work ethic is an essential part of inmates’ reintegration, and through organised working parties and work placements they do a huge amount in the community. I was very pleased to learn, for example the enormous amount of relief work that was completed by prisoners in Gloucester.”
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
“Overall my impression was favourable, and I believe it is an essential part of the prison system to be able to reintegrate long serving prisoners into society at the end of their sentences, otherwise they may simply reoffend and end up back in jail. Leyhill performs this role well.”
