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Press releasesREF: PR/04/07 DATE: 15th January 2007 To: ALL POLITICAL PRESS RELEASE Serious Failings Within the Open Prison EstateThe POA continue to express concern over the problems within open prisons in England and Wales, and as a result of this the National Chairman and General Secretary intend to invite members of local branch committees from open prisons to a forum to discuss the ever increasing problems. Brian Caton General Secretary of the POA visited Sudbury Open prison today following the recent visit by National Chairman Colin Moses to Ford open prison last week. The General Secretary was extremely concerned at the number of prisoners with violent offences who are being risked managed in open prisons. Recent events at Sudbury prison have led to a call for a root and branch review of the prison categorisation system. Mr Caton said: “I am appalled to learn of the problems within open and resettlement prisons. It is clear that the use of drugs and alcohol and recent absconds identify serious failings within the system. The number of prisoners with serious violent offences and those being risked managed is of great concern. The procedures for categorising prisoners has changed significantly in recent times resulting in staff having to adopt a “tick box” procedure which can only result in security breaches and prisoners absconding”. He continued: “The POA would hope to meet with the Home Secretary as soon as possible to discuss these serious problems and failings within the prison system” END.
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