This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-44952914
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sex offenders to be housed in jail opposite primary school | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A government decision to house sex offenders at an open jail opposite a primary school has been criticised. | A government decision to house sex offenders at an open jail opposite a primary school has been criticised. |
| The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said the men will be sent to HMP Thorn Cross near Warrington, Cheshire, by the end of the year. | The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said the men will be sent to HMP Thorn Cross near Warrington, Cheshire, by the end of the year. |
| The school's head teacher said she was "deeply concerned" and parents were "worried" about their children. | The school's head teacher said she was "deeply concerned" and parents were "worried" about their children. |
| The MoJ blamed a rise in the number of convicted sex offenders for the decision. | The MoJ blamed a rise in the number of convicted sex offenders for the decision. |
| The prison is opposite Appleton Thorn Primary School, which is five miles from Warrington. | The prison is opposite Appleton Thorn Primary School, which is five miles from Warrington. |
| Head teacher Zoe Jones: "I am deeply concerned by this change in category of prisoner at Thorn Cross open prison, having been given assurances in the past that no sex offenders would be placed here. | Head teacher Zoe Jones: "I am deeply concerned by this change in category of prisoner at Thorn Cross open prison, having been given assurances in the past that no sex offenders would be placed here. |
| "This news has come completely out of the blue and the school was not consulted." | "This news has come completely out of the blue and the school was not consulted." |
| Former councillor Dorothy Edwards, 79, who has lived in Appleton Thorn for nearly 50 years, said: "I think this is a dreadful decision. | Former councillor Dorothy Edwards, 79, who has lived in Appleton Thorn for nearly 50 years, said: "I think this is a dreadful decision. |
| "This prison is just 20 yards from the school and parents at the school are worried about their children's safety. | "This prison is just 20 yards from the school and parents at the school are worried about their children's safety. |
| "Prisoners there have their own keys to their rooms and are allowed out to catch the bus to work or for education while children arrive at the school. | "Prisoners there have their own keys to their rooms and are allowed out to catch the bus to work or for education while children arrive at the school. |
| "Everyone who lives here is outraged." | "Everyone who lives here is outraged." |
| Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane also said he had "serious concern" about the decision. | Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane also said he had "serious concern" about the decision. |
| A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Under this government more sex offenders are being convicted and going to prison, and spending longer there. | A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Under this government more sex offenders are being convicted and going to prison, and spending longer there. |
| "The ability to test men in open conditions as they approach the end of their sentence is a critical step in this. | "The ability to test men in open conditions as they approach the end of their sentence is a critical step in this. |
| "Anyone who is transferred to open conditions must pass a strict risk-assessment and can be recalled to tougher closed conditions at the first sign of any concern." | "Anyone who is transferred to open conditions must pass a strict risk-assessment and can be recalled to tougher closed conditions at the first sign of any concern." |