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2008
Type
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To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many absconds there were from open prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 24 months; and how many offences were committed by such offenders while unlawfully at large.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many absconds there were from open prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 24 months; and how many offences were committed by such offenders while unlawfully at large.
Asked by
Lord Garnier
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
5 December 2008
For answer on
9 December 2008
Answered on
11 December 2008
Levels of absconding have been falling steadily for some years now and are currently at their lowest levels since central recording of this data began in 1995. The following table shows the numbers of prisoners absconding from prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 24 months and numbers of further offences committed while unlawfully at large.
These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.Figures on absconds and a range of other prison performance statistics are also available at:"http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/abouttheservice/prisonperformance/performancestatistics/"
| prisoners absconding from prisons in England and qales and number of further offences committed while unlawfully at large | ||
|---|---|---|
| Month | Total prisoners absconding | Further offences committed while unlawfully at large |
| December 2006 | 44 | 3 |
| January 2007 | 31 | 3 |
| February 2007 | 44 | 8 |
| March 2007 | 51 | 7 |
| April 2007 | 49 | 7 |
| May 2007 | 41 | 5 |
| June 2007 | 53 | 4 |
| July 2007 | 35 | 9 |
| August 2007 | 50 | 10 |
| September 2007 | 42 | 10 |
| October 2007 | 44 | 8 |
| November 2007 | 50 | 5 |
| December 2007 | 55 | 7 |
| January 2008 | 26 | 2 |
| February 2008 | 32 | 7 |
| March 2008 | 37 | 6 |
| April 2008 | 41 | |
| May 2008 | 28 | 1 |
| June 2008 | 36 | 6 |
| July 2008 | 18 | 1 |
| August 2008 | 37 | 7 |
| September 2008 | 31 | 1 |
| October 2008 | 38 | |
| November 2008 | 31 | 2 |
| Total | 944 | 125 |
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
11 December 2008
Reference
485 c300-1W; 242062
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners absconded from open prisons in each of the last five years, broken down by prison establishment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners absconded from open prisons in each of the last five years, broken down by prison establishment.
Asked by
Shailesh Vara
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 October 2008
For answer on
8 October 2008
Answered on
13 October 2008
The following table shows the number of prisoners who have absconded from open prisons between April 2003 and March 2008 broken down by (a) prison and (b) year. The number of absconds last year was the lowest level since centralised recording began in 1995 and levels have continued to fall in the current year. Escapes too have been falling for over a decade with the current low levels having been sustained for some years now. This is despite considerable increases in population over the same period. It is my intention to continue this downward trend.
These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. The data are not subject to audit.Figures on absconds and a range of other prison performance statistics are available at:"http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/abouttheservice/prison performance/performancestatistics/"
| Establishment name | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Askham Grange | 31 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 11 |
| East Sutton Park | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Ford | 142 | 110 | 96 | 62 | 47 |
| Hewell Grange | 31 | 24 | 24 | 13 | 15 |
| Hollesley Bay | 36 | 32 | 16 | 21 | 19 |
| Kirkham | 213 | 120 | 74 | 54 | 65 |
| Leyhill | 114 | 102 | 66 | 37 | 55 |
| Moorland/Hatfield | 68 | 73 | 49 | 41 | 23 |
| North Sea Camp | 79 | 33 | 49 | 48 | 46 |
| Norwich (Britten House Open Element) | — | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Usk\Prescoed | 35 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Spring Hill | 60 | 36 | 34 | 11 | 21 |
| Standford Hill | 89 | 39 | 58 | 38 | 44 |
| Sudbury | 75 | 77 | 76 | 78 | 55 |
| Thorn Cross | 130 | 90 | 105 | 82 | 68 |
| Wealstun | 144 | 74 | 28 | 46 | 32 |
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
13 October 2008
Reference
480 c874-5W;480 c868-9W; 225387
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in England and Wales absconded from open prisons between April 2007 and April 2008.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in England and Wales absconded from open prisons between April 2007 and April 2008.
Asked by
Mark Pritchard
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 June 2008
For answer on
4 June 2008
Answered on
9 June 2008
510 prisoners absconded from open prisons in England and Wales between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008. This represents the lowest number of absconds since centralised recording of these statistics began in 1995.Over 95 per cent. of those prisoners who have absconded return or are returned to custody. Prisoners are classed as ““absconders”” if they absent themselves from prison custody without lawful authority and without overcoming physical security restraints such as that provided by fence, locks, bolts and bars, a secure vehicle, handcuffs or direct supervision of staff.Absconders who are recaptured are referred to the police and CPS and are either prosecuted or if the Police/CPS decide not to proceed they will face internal disciplinary procedures where they can be given additional days in prison.
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
9 June 2008
Reference
477 c100W; 209001
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the capacity of the open prison estate is; and how many such places were occupied at the most recent date for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the capacity of the open prison estate is; and how many such places were occupied at the most recent date for which figures are available.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 May 2008
For answer on
19 May 2008
Answered on
5 June 2008
As at 30 May 2008 (the latest date for which figures are available), the operational capacity of the open estate¹ was 5,138 and the total population was 4,869. The overall occupancy rate on this date was 95 per cent."¹ This includes those establishments where the whole prison is designated as open conditions. (Some adult open prisons and women's open prisons have units which hold offenders under the age of 21.)."
Subjects
Prison accommodation; Open prisons
Date
5 June 2008
Reference
476 c1112W; 206876
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open prisons in England and Wales were convicted of (a) offences of violence, (b) sexual offences or (c) offences of supplying illegal drugs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open prisons in England and Wales were convicted of (a) offences of violence, (b) sexual offences or (c) offences of supplying illegal drugs.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 May 2008
For answer on
19 May 2008
Answered on
2 June 2008
At the end of March 2008 there were (a) 1,240 prisoners serving sentences for violence against the person offences, (b) 50 prisoners serving sentences for sexual offences, and (c) 1,270 prisoners serving sentences for drugs offences in prison establishments in England and Wales whose main function is as an open prison.Open prisons house category D prisoners. These are prisoners whose risk of absconding is considered to be low and who have been assessed as posing a low risk of harm to the public. Within this population are long term prisoners coming towards the end of their sentence who, over time, have substantially reduced their level of risk and who would benefit from the regime available in an open prison as part of their preparation for eventual release.It is not possible to show the number serving sentences for specific types of drug offences as the data is not accurate to this level.These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and the figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
Subjects
Open prisons
Date
2 June 2008
Reference
476 c642-3W; 206878
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open jails in England and Wales had been deemed not suitable for release on temporary licence at the most recent date for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open jails in England and Wales had been deemed not suitable for release on temporary licence at the most recent date for which figures are available.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 May 2008
For answer on
19 May 2008
Answered on
22 May 2008
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell), on 7 March 2008, Official Report, column 2834W.Release on temporary licence is the mechanism that enables prisoners to participate in necessary activities, outside of the prison establishment, that directly contribute to their resettlement into the community and their development of a purposeful law abiding life. The eligibility requirements are set out in Prison Service Order 6300 Release on Temporary Licence, which is available on the Prison Service website. Eligible prisoners must pass a rigorous risk assessment before temporary release is granted.Information on those considered unsuitable for release under temporary licence is not centrally available, would require manual inspection of individual prisoners' records and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
Subjects
Prisoners' release; Open prisons
Date
22 May 2008
Reference
206872; 476 c412-3W
House
House of Commons
Prison capacity may be increasing, but the Minister is surely aware that the present chronic lack of spaces has led to dangerous prisoners' being taken out of closed prisons and put into the camp at Prescoed, from which they immediately escape. Will he undertake to return to the Justice Minister and demand that enough spaces are built in the closed estate to ensure that people living near open prisons such as Prescoed can sleep safely in their beds at night?
Prison capacity may be increasing, but the Minister is surely aware that the present chronic lack of spaces has led to dangerous prisoners' being taken out of closed prisons and put into the camp at Prescoed, from which they immediately escape. Will he undertake to return to the Justice Minister and demand that enough spaces are built in the closed estate to ensure that people living near open prisons such as Prescoed can sleep safely in their beds at night?
Asked by
David TC Davies
(Conservative)
Answering body
Wales Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
21 May 2008
We have provided an extra £1.2 billion to deliver a further and extended building programme that will create 15,000 places in England and Wales by 2014, 330 of which will be at Parc prison. As for the use of open prisons, public protection is the top priority. All prisoners in open prisons have been risk-assessed rigorously, and are in the final stage of their sentences. Moreover, the number of absconds from open prisons is at its lowest for a decade.
Notes
Daily part printing error - Answering Minister originally given as Mr. David Hanson.
Subjects
Offenders; Prisons; Overcrowding; Wales; Open prisons; Departmental coordination
Date
21 May 2008
Reference
476 c308, (corrigendum) c754;476 c308
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open jails did not complete relevant offender programmes in the closed prison estate in the most recent period for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in open jails did not complete relevant offender programmes in the closed prison estate in the most recent period for which figures are available.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 May 2008
For answer on
19 May 2008
Answered on
21 May 2008
This information is not available. It could be obtained only by going through the files of every prisoner held in the open estate in the last 12 months, to do so would be at disproportionate cost. Prior to allocation to an open prison, prisoners are assessed to ensure that the level of risk that they present can be safely managed in open conditions. The assessment will take account of a range of factors including participation in activities such as offending behaviour and treatment programmes where appropriate. The risk assessment process for open conditions is stringent—and becoming more sophisticated at assessing risk. As a result, abscond rates are falling: (financial years) 2003-04—1,310; 2004-05—877; 2005-06—709; 2006-07—555; 2007-08—561 (annualised projection). Over 95 per cent. of those who have absconded are returned to custody.However, some programmes are also delivered in open prisons. There have been open prisons since 1936 and they are the most effective means of ensuring prisoners are tested in the community before they are released. To release prisoners directly from a closed prison without the resettlement benefits of the open estate would undoubtedly lead to higher levels of post-release re-offending.
Subjects
Offenders; Prisoners; Rehabilitation; Open prisons
Date
21 May 2008
Reference
476 c354W; 206877
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether prisoners in open prisons employed by outside companies are subject to prison rules.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether prisoners in open prisons employed by outside companies are subject to prison rules.
Asked by
Rudi Vis
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 April 2008
For answer on
24 April 2008
Answered on
29 April 2008
Prisoners that undertake work placements under the supervision of outside companies are subject at all times to prison rules. Placements are supported by memoranda of understanding agreed between the prison, the prisoner and the employer setting out the terms of the arrangement.
Subjects
Employment; Open prisons
Date
29 April 2008
Reference
475 c391W; 201707
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners convicted of (a) murder, (b) rape and (c) other sexual offences have absconded from open prisons in England and Wales in the last three years; and how many of them remain at large.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners convicted of (a) murder, (b) rape and (c) other sexual offences have absconded from open prisons in England and Wales in the last three years; and how many of them remain at large.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
6 March 2008
For answer on
17 March 2008
Answered on
17 March 2008
Data are shown in the following tables for the number of prisoners convicted of (a) murder, (b) rape and (c) other sexual offences who have absconded in the last three years from open or semi-open prisons and how many remain at large at the end of February 2008.
The number of overall absconds from open prisons in the last two years has been about half the level of 1996-97
| Absconds from open prisons in England and Wales: January 2005 to December 2007 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to December | ||||
| Offence | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Total |
| Murder | 16 | 14 | 7 | 37 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Other sexual offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 17 | 15 | 8 | 40 |
| Number of absconders in the aforementioned table still at large at the end of February 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to December | ||||
| Offence | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | Total |
| Murder | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Rape | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other sexual offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
17 March 2008
Reference
193233; 473 c874-5W;473 c870-1W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners who escaped from open prisons in each month since January 2007, broken down by (a) prison and (b) offence for which convicted; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners who escaped from open prisons in each month since January 2007, broken down by (a) prison and (b) offence for which convicted; and if he will make a statement.
Asked by
David Laws
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 March 2008
For answer on
11 March 2008
Answered on
14 March 2008
Records show that the level of absconds is the lowest for 10 years. Statistics show that since 1996 the rate of absconds has reduced by half.Data showing the number of prisoners who have absconded from open or semi-open prisons between January 2007 and February 2008 broken down by (a) prison and (b) offence for which they are convicted is shown in the following tables.Currently abscond levels are the lowest since centralised recording of figures began in 1995.
| Offence | Askham Grange | Ford | Grendon | Hatfield | Hewell Grange | Hollesley Bay | Kirkham | Leyhill | Lindholme |
| Affray | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Burglary | 1 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 30 | 16 | — |
| Arson | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Assault | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Assisting illegal immigrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Attempt to commit theft | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Attempt to pervert the course of justice | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Attempted murder | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Murder | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robbery | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| Breach | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Conspiracy to commit theft | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Drugs | 2 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — | 10 | 8 | — |
| Criminal damage | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Customs evasion (not drugs related) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Driving | — | 4 | — | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| Deception | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Fail to surrender | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| False imprisonment | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| False instruments | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Fraud | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Handling stolen goods | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Holding warrant | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Illegal immigrant/detainee | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Import/export/drug | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Inflict grievous bodily harm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Kidnapping | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Make off without paying | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Manslaughter | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other criminal offences | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Other violence offences | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Possession of an offensive weapon | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Possession of firearm with intent. Endanger life | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rape | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Receiving stolen goods | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sec 40 convictions during original sentence | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Taking and driving away | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| Theft | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 9 | 6 | — |
| Threatening/disorderly behaviour | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trespass | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wounding | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 3 | — |
| Not recorded | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | — |
| Grand total | 9 | 55 | 23 | 33 | 17 | 20 | 80 | 60 | 1 |
| Offence | North Sea Camp | Norwich | Standford Hill | Stoke Heath | Sudbury | Thorn Cross | Usk | Wealstun | Grand total |
| Affray | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Burglary | 19 | — | 18 | — | 17 | 29 | 1 | 12 | 191 |
| Arson | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Assault | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 5 | 1 | 15 | |
| Assisting illegal immigrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Attempt to commit theft | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Attempt to pervert the course of justice | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Attempted murder | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Murder | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | 7 |
| Robbery | 4 | — | 7 | — | 17 | 19 | 3 | 5 | 104 |
| Breach | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 21 |
| Conspiracy to commit theft | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Drugs | 4 | — | 6 | — | 4 | 10 | — | 8 | 70 |
| Criminal damage | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Customs evasion (not drugs related) | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Driving | 3 | — | 2 | — | 2 | — | 1 | 2 | 28 |
| Deception | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Fail to surrender | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| False imprisonment | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| False instruments | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Fraud | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Handling stolen goods | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 7 |
| Holding warrant | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Illegal immigrant/detainee | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Import/export/drug | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| Inflict grievous bodily harm | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 9 |
| Kidnapping | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Make off without paying | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Manslaughter | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Other criminal offences | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Other violence offences | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Possession of an offensive weapon | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 3 |
| Possession of firearm with intent. Endanger life | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| Rape | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Receiving stolen goods | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Sec 40 convictions during original sentence | 2 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 6 |
| Taking and driving away | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 5 | — | 2 | 13 |
| Theft | 3 | — | 6 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 36 |
| Threatening/disorderly behaviour | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Trespass | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Wounding | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | — | 1 | 22 |
| Not recorded | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| Grand total | 54 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 59 | 85 | 9 | 39 | 599 |
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
14 March 2008
Reference
193511; 473 c676-80W;473 c672-6W
House
House of Commons
Could that failure to purchase a prison ship have led to this situation in my constituency? A serial robber with more than 100 convictions was able to walk free from an open prison just three years into an 11-year sentence. Will a Minister please agree to meet me to discuss the issue for 15 minutes? It has caused huge concern in my constituency.
Could that failure to purchase a prison ship have led to this situation in my constituency? A serial robber with more than 100 convictions was able to walk free from an open prison just three years into an 11-year sentence. Will a Minister please agree to meet me to discuss the issue for 15 minutes? It has caused huge concern in my constituency.
Asked by
David TC Davies
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 March 2008
I will always happily meet any Member of Parliament about any issue. If the hon. Gentleman had raised the matter with me before he took up the time of the House today, I would have agreed to meet him then. When we do meet, I hope that he will have done his research—looked at the number of absconds and escapes in 1996-97 and compared it with that in 2006-07. He will find that the performance of this Labour Government has been immensely better than that of the Conservative Government. There were 33 category C escapes in the last year of that Conservative Government; there have been only two, to date, in the latest year of this Labour Government. The hon. Gentleman must do his research before bringing his recommendations to me.
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Shipping; Prison accommodation; Open prisons
Date
11 March 2008
Reference
473 c129
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many available places in open prisons there were at the latest date for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many available places in open prisons there were at the latest date for which figures are available.
Asked by
Dan Rogerson
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 March 2008
For answer on
6 March 2008
Answered on
11 March 2008
As of 7 March 2008, there were 88 available places in the adult male open prison estate.
Subjects
Open prisons
Date
11 March 2008
Reference
192556; 473 c374W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will instigate a review of the effectiveness of open prisons in ensuring prisoners do not abscond.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will instigate a review of the effectiveness of open prisons in ensuring prisoners do not abscond.
Asked by
David TC Davies
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
5 March 2008
For answer on
11 March 2008
Answered on
11 March 2008
No. All those located in open conditions have been risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public. Time spent in open prisons affords prisoners the opportunity to find work, re-establish family ties, reintegrate into the community and ensure housing needs are met. For long-term prisoners, these are essential components for successful resettlement and an important factor in protecting the public.The number of absconds is at its lowest level since centralised reporting of this type of incident began in 1995. Since then, the number of absconds has fallen steadily across most years. In the last two years, the number of absconds recorded has been just over half the levels recorded in 1997.
Subjects
Open prisons
Date
11 March 2008
Reference
192773; 473 c374W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were resident in open prisons who were deemed unsuitable for release on temporary licence in each of the last 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were resident in open prisons who were deemed unsuitable for release on temporary licence in each of the last 12 months.
Asked by
John McDonnell
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 March 2008
For answer on
7 March 2008
Answered on
7 March 2008
Release on temporary licence is the mechanism that enables prisoners to participate in necessary activities, outside of the prison establishment, that directly contribute to their resettlement into the community and their development of a purposeful law abiding life. The eligibility requirements are set out in Prison Service Order 6300 Release on Temporary Licence, which is available on the Prison Service website. Eligible prisoners must pass a rigorous risk assessment before temporary release is granted.Information on those considered unsuitable for release under temporary licence is not centrally available, would require manual inspection of individual prisoners' records and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
Subjects
Prisoners; Open prisons
Date
7 March 2008
Reference
191903; 472 c2834W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were resident in open prisons who had not completed relevant offender management or treatment programmes in the closed estate in each of the last 12 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were resident in open prisons who had not completed relevant offender management or treatment programmes in the closed estate in each of the last 12 months.
Asked by
John McDonnell
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
3 March 2008
For answer on
7 March 2008
Answered on
7 March 2008
Prior to allocation to an open prison, prisoners are assessed to ensure that the level of risk that they present can be safely managed in open conditions. The assessment will take account of a range of factors including participation in activities such as offending behaviour and treatment programmes where appropriate. However, some programmes are also delivered in open prisons. This information is therefore currently not available.
Subjects
Prisoners; Open prisons
Date
7 March 2008
Reference
191904; 472 c2834W
House
House of Commons
With the prison population at record levels, Prison Service managers are understandably trying to use every available place that they can find. For Members of this House with open prisons in their constituencies, there is a concern that security vetting is being relaxed because there are spare places in open prisons. Will the Prime Minister ensure that there is an investigation and will he guarantee that security vetting will not be relaxed simply because of pressure on prison places?
With the prison population at record levels, Prison Service managers are understandably trying to use every available place that they can find. For Members of this House with open prisons in their constituencies, there is a concern that security vetting is being relaxed because there are spare places in open prisons. Will the Prime Minister ensure that there is an investigation and will he guarantee that security vetting will not be relaxed simply because of pressure on prison places?
Asked by
Steve Webb
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 March 2008
I understand that security vetting does take place. The important thing for the hon. Gentleman to recognise is that we have created 20,000 more prison places over the past 10 years. Even this year there will be a rise in prison places from 82,000 to 85,000 and we will create 15,000 more prison places in the years to come. The reason that we are doing that is that we have brought more offences to justice. Five years ago, 1 million offences were brought to justice; now the figure is 1.4 million. That is a tribute to good policing in this country, and it is because we have been prepared to invest in the police services through our public expenditure.
Subjects
Prisoners; Vetting; Security; Open prisons
Date
5 March 2008
Reference
472 c1747-8;472 c1745-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many failures to return there have been to open prisons since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many failures to return there have been to open prisons since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 February 2008
For answer on
27 February 2008
Answered on
3 March 2008
Prisoners fail to return to prison following release on temporary licence. Between 1 April 1997 and 31 January 2008 there were 2,880 breaches of a temporary release licence following release on temporary licence from an open prison. This equates to an average of 266 breaches per year. Not all breaches of a temporary release licence are for failing to return to the prison but this specific information could be determined only at disproportionate cost by examining each of the 2,880 incidents. Prison Service Order 6300 Release on Temporary Licence was introduced in January 2006.
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
3 March 2008
Reference
189819; 472 c2198W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there have been any changes to the criteria for recording absconds or other unauthorised absences from open prisons since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there have been any changes to the criteria for recording absconds or other unauthorised absences from open prisons since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 February 2008
For answer on
27 February 2008
Answered on
27 February 2008
There have been no changes to the criteria for recording absconds or other unauthorised absences from open prisons since 1997.
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
27 February 2008
Reference
189818; 472 c1715-6W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how his Department defines a prisoner in an open prison who absconds and fails to return.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how his Department defines a prisoner in an open prison who absconds and fails to return.
Asked by
Lord Herbert of South Downs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 February 2008
For answer on
27 February 2008
Answered on
27 February 2008
Prisoners are classed as 'absconders' if they absent themselves from Prison Service custody without lawful authority and without overcoming physical security restraints such as that provided by fence, locks, bolts and bars, a secure vehicle, handcuffs or direct supervision of staff. This latter category are classed as escapes.
Subjects
Prisoner escapes; Open prisons
Date
27 February 2008
Reference
189817; 472 c1715W
House
House of Commons