Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will review the regime in open prisons; and if he will make a statement. - Including ref to National Framework of Requirements for Resettlement Regimes.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the regime in open prisons; and if he will make a statement. [77393] Hilary Benn: Open prisons hold large numbers of short-term prisoners who have been carefully assessed and identified as low risk. In addition to their role with short-term prisoners, open prisons contribute towards the resettlement of prisoners coming towards the end of medium and long- term sentences, including life sentence prisoners. This aspect of their work involved the selection and oversight of prisoners engaged in unpaid community work and, for those within 12 months of their parole eligibility date, in full-time paid employment. These opportunities are only available to prisoners who have passed a stringent risk assessment process, and whose progress and behaviour are subject to constant review. The arrangements for the resettlement role of open prisons are contained in the National Framework of Requirements for Resettlement Regimes which was issued in November 2001. The Prison Service will shortly review the way in which the National Framework has operated during its first 12 months.

Secondary information