Press releases

REF: PR/06/08

DATE: 18th February 2008

To: MPs
ALL POLITICAL EDITORS
ALL INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENTS

PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO

PRISONS SET TO BURST

Leaders of the POA have expressed grave concerns for the safety of the general public and security of prisons following the record number of prisoners held over the weekend.

Colin Moses, National Chairman of the POA said;

“POA members were bussing prisoners from establishment to establishment to try and accommodate almost 82,000 prisoners over the weekend.  This policy will lead to unrest amongst prisoners and prisoners being placed in unsuitable accommodation and thus endangering the general public.  We are aware that the Ministry of Justice have instructed all Governors to send prisoners to open prisons.  It is believed that all open prisons will be operating at around 95% capacity.  To the POA that can only mean one thing; open prisons will be dangerous places to work in and the public in surrounding areas will be at risk.

Brian Caton, General Secretary of the POA said;

“The problems of overcrowding are not new; and the problems we face today are as a direct result of the lack of real investment for new prisons over the last 10 years.

“If things continue as they are we will see more and more unsuitable and dangerous prisoners released early and public safety will be at risk.

For further information contact:
POA Press Office: 020 8803 0255 Option 7

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