11 July 2007
Local MP condemns Government's policy on Open Prisons.
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today condemned the Government decision to place “high risk” and “very high risk” prisoners at HMP Leyhill, the open prison a few miles from Wotton-under-Edge. He has pledged to raise this matter in the Commons, and will seek to visit the Prison as soon as possible.
A report published this week by Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons reveals that there are up to 50 inmates classed as “high risk” and “very high risk” and “a relatively large group of men...convicted of sex offences”.
Mr Clifton-Brown said: “I am extremely concerned for the safety of my constituents in Wotton, Kingswood and the surrounding communities. Clearly the Chief Inspectors’ Report should be taken very seriously by the Government. I have tabled Parliamentary Questions to discover the precise number of high risk, and very high risk prisoners housed at Leyhill, and other open prisons, and what action the Government will take following this report damning their policy. I will also ask what reassurances the Home Security can give to my constituents that their safety is not in jeopardy as a result of her Government’s decisions.”
In the last ten years, Leyhill has experienced severe problems of prisoners simply walking out of the prison.
Mr Clifton-Brown added: “While this Prison is not actually within the borders of my constituency, I will be seeking to visit, to hear first hand what action the prison authorities’ propose to take following this report, and to hopefully satisfy myself that my constituents safety is not at risk.”
The full report can be found be downloaded at:
http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspect_reports/hmp-yoi-inspections.html/Leyhill.pdf
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today condemned the Government decision to place “high risk” and “very high risk” prisoners at HMP Leyhill, the open prison a few miles from Wotton-under-Edge. He has pledged to raise this matter in the Commons, and will seek to visit the Prison as soon as possible.
A report published this week by Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons reveals that there are up to 50 inmates classed as “high risk” and “very high risk” and “a relatively large group of men...convicted of sex offences”.
Mr Clifton-Brown said: “I am extremely concerned for the safety of my constituents in Wotton, Kingswood and the surrounding communities. Clearly the Chief Inspectors’ Report should be taken very seriously by the Government. I have tabled Parliamentary Questions to discover the precise number of high risk, and very high risk prisoners housed at Leyhill, and other open prisons, and what action the Government will take following this report damning their policy. I will also ask what reassurances the Home Security can give to my constituents that their safety is not in jeopardy as a result of her Government’s decisions.”
In the last ten years, Leyhill has experienced severe problems of prisoners simply walking out of the prison.
Mr Clifton-Brown added: “While this Prison is not actually within the borders of my constituency, I will be seeking to visit, to hear first hand what action the prison authorities’ propose to take following this report, and to hopefully satisfy myself that my constituents safety is not at risk.”
The full report can be found be downloaded at:
http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspect_reports/hmp-yoi-inspections.html/Leyhill.pdf
