Ann Widdecombe

Ann Widdecombe is a renowned author and British politician, serving as a Conservative Party MP from 1987 to 2010. She is also known for her appearances on reality TV shows like Strictly Come Dancing.

Labour abused our open prison system

THE riots at Ford open prison are almost certainly the result of the abuse of the system by the last government.

The riots at Ford open prison are almost certainly the result of an abuse of the system The riots at Ford open prison are almost certainly the result of an abuse of the system

When I was serving on the Home Affairs Select Committee in the early years of this century the then governor of Maidstone prison revealed that quotas were being set for transfers of prisoners to open jails in order to relieve the  pressure on closed places. She was concerned because she believed it would result in unsuitable transfers.

When I raised the matter ministers denied that this was happening but it seems obvious that it was and that people were being sent prematurely to open conditions. 

Before that prisoners had to be individually assessed as suitable for open prison and the risk assessment was thorough. Any misdemeanour could delay transfer. Drinking while outside could and usually did result in transfer back to closed prison, even if it was a one-off.

What saddens me is that when there is an incident like this the whole open prison system is brought into disrepute and its purpose is too vital to allow that to happen.

Long serving lifers need to be eased back into normal life via a process of supervision and  support which is what open prison provides. They need to acclimatise to prices, traffic and freedom itself.

People whose offences stemmed from drugs, drink or sexual obsessions need a period of monitoring before release. Furthermore open prisons save the system a great deal of money by housing very low-risk offenders who have too much to lose by absconding. They do not need walls, dogs or the same ratio of officers to inmates.

Equally therefore sanctions must be effective. Unless inmates believe that a breach of the rules will lead to a return to closed prison why should they fear consequences? A place in an open prison should be a prize for any  convict, not taken for granted.

Ken Clarke should restore the integrity of the transfer process without delay, even if that does mean a bit more overcrowding in the closed sector.

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