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'Risk' from open prison criminals | 'Risk' from open prison criminals |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Dangerous criminals are being placed in low security open prisons due to overcrowding, at "massive" risk to the general public, the BBC has learned. | Dangerous criminals are being placed in low security open prisons due to overcrowding, at "massive" risk to the general public, the BBC has learned. |
Colin Moses, of the Prison Officers Association, told Panorama he feared prisoners were not "properly assessed". | Colin Moses, of the Prison Officers Association, told Panorama he feared prisoners were not "properly assessed". |
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "All prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed." | Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "All prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed." |
The UK prison population - more than 90,000 - is at an all time high and the system is at breaking point. | The UK prison population - more than 90,000 - is at an all time high and the system is at breaking point. |
The concerns expressed by Mr Moses are shared by the National Association of Probation Officers (Napo). | The concerns expressed by Mr Moses are shared by the National Association of Probation Officers (Napo). |
It is unacceptable these institutions are coming under such pressure to take unsuitable prisoners that we see the risk of absconds and therefore a risk to the public Nick HerbertShadow justice secretary | It is unacceptable these institutions are coming under such pressure to take unsuitable prisoners that we see the risk of absconds and therefore a risk to the public Nick HerbertShadow justice secretary |
"I've certainly been worried for 15-18 months that individuals are being transferred into open jails who pose a risk to the public" said Napo's Harry Fletcher. | "I've certainly been worried for 15-18 months that individuals are being transferred into open jails who pose a risk to the public" said Napo's Harry Fletcher. |
"The worry is they are not being properly assessed," he said. | "The worry is they are not being properly assessed," he said. |
That increases the risk of dangerous and violent criminals walking out of low security prisons and carrying out further serious crimes. | That increases the risk of dangerous and violent criminals walking out of low security prisons and carrying out further serious crimes. |
Panorama has learned that over the last decade there have been almost 14,000 cases of prisoners leaving open jails without permission. | |
They are not all inmates serving short sentences for minor offences. | They are not all inmates serving short sentences for minor offences. |
Government statistics reveal more than 130 murderers have absconded from the open estate in the last ten years. | Government statistics reveal more than 130 murderers have absconded from the open estate in the last ten years. |
"It is unacceptable these institutions are coming under such pressure to take unsuitable prisoners that we see the risk of absconds and therefore a risk to the public," said shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert. | "It is unacceptable these institutions are coming under such pressure to take unsuitable prisoners that we see the risk of absconds and therefore a risk to the public," said shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert. |
Panorama investigated the case of a convicted murderer who walked out of an open prison in Scotland and killed again. | Panorama investigated the case of a convicted murderer who walked out of an open prison in Scotland and killed again. |
The BBC programme also tracked down a Dutch drug trafficker, Christian Ekkebus, serving a ten year sentence, who failed to return from weekend leave and is now back living in his native Holland. | The BBC programme also tracked down a Dutch drug trafficker, Christian Ekkebus, serving a ten year sentence, who failed to return from weekend leave and is now back living in his native Holland. |
Justice Secretary Jack Straw would not agree to an interview for the programme, despite repeated requests . | Justice Secretary Jack Straw would not agree to an interview for the programme, despite repeated requests . |
However, in a statement he stressed public safety was paramount. | However, in a statement he stressed public safety was paramount. |
He said: "All prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed." | He said: "All prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed." |
'Risk assessed' | 'Risk assessed' |
The director of Scottish Prisons, Mike Duffy, admitted more 'difficult' prisoners were being put into open jails. | The director of Scottish Prisons, Mike Duffy, admitted more 'difficult' prisoners were being put into open jails. |
"We are planning and programming more for difficult prisoners to try and ensure they don't return to crime in the future," he said. | "We are planning and programming more for difficult prisoners to try and ensure they don't return to crime in the future," he said. |
But he categorically denied a link between prison overcrowding and unsuitable prisoners being pushed into open conditions. | But he categorically denied a link between prison overcrowding and unsuitable prisoners being pushed into open conditions. |
But those at the front line of the prison system disagree. | But those at the front line of the prison system disagree. |
"We need to go back to rigorous risk assessment," said Mr Moses. | "We need to go back to rigorous risk assessment," said Mr Moses. |
"The other side of that is we put people in open conditions, they abscond, and continue their criminality. That puts everyone at risk". | "The other side of that is we put people in open conditions, they abscond, and continue their criminality. That puts everyone at risk". |
Panorama: Prisons Unlocked will be on BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday 5 May 2008. | Panorama: Prisons Unlocked will be on BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday 5 May 2008. |
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