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Press releasesREF: PR/12/07 DATE: 30th January 2007 To: ALL POLITICAL PRESS RELEASE Safety of Open Prison Leads to DebateDue to the recent problems which have been well documented in relation to security and safety of Open Prisons and the continuing crisis for the Prison Service. The National Chairman of the POA has convened a meeting of branch officials from open prisons to discuss the short, medium and long term problems surrounding these establishments. The recent security breaches at Sudbury open prison where 5 life sentenced prisoners absconded has identified serious failings. On top of this it has been reported that 2 suspected prostitutes had gained access to the establishment during the night and had been apprehended at first light. Staff within the open prison estate have constantly raised concerns over the type of prisoner who is being sent to the open prisons. Colin Moses, National Chairman of the POA said – “The failings of the categorisation system for prisoners have resulted in security breaches, assaults, drug abuse and a lack of public confidence in the Prison Service. I have wrote to the Prison Service seeking information and clarification into the sentences and nature of offences of those prisoners who have breached prison rules or absconded from open prisons. To date I have not received a reply. Therefore, I have convened a meeting at the House of Commons on the 1st February 2007 from 11am until 3pm in Committee Room 8 and have invited the local MPs of each of these establishments to attend to debate the problems which staff and prisoners face. “We shall look at the immediate problems faced in these establishments and seek proposals which we will take back to the Prisons Board for the medium and long term future of these establishments within the Criminal Justice System which play a fundamental role in the rehabilitation process for prisoners. The crisis which the Prison Service faces today reflects on every establishment however any failings within Open Prisons immediately impacts on local communities. We hope that local MPs will partake in the discussion and take on board the concerns of their constituent members who work in these prisons.”
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