MP praised in prison debate (From Gazette Series)

MP praised in prison debate

NORTHAVON MP Steve Webb has been praised by Home Office Minister Paul Goggins, for his "mature and intelligent" approach to a debate on open prisons which he led in the House of Commons last Tuesday.

The MP had sought the debate in order to highlight concerns that unsuitable prisoners were now being sent to Leyhill open prison, in response to overcrowding elsewhere in the prison system.

Prior to taking part in the debate, the Mr Webb had visited Leyhill to discuss his concerns with prison management.

He said that his intention was not to undermine Leyhill, but actually to make it easier for the staff to do their job by preventing unsuitable inmates from being sent to Leyhill in the first place.

The MP praised the staff and management at Leyhill, describing it as "one of Britain's best open prisons".

But during the debate he also pointed out comments made by chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers in her report published on the morning of the debate, where she also identified concerns at the growing use of open prisons for short-term prisoners who are more likely to abscond when placed in open prisons.

Responding, Prisons Minister Paul Goggins congratulated Mr Webb on raising the subject and on a mature and constructive approach.

He said that a full investigation had been launched into the high-profile case of Scottish drugs baron Roddy McLean who absconded from Leyhill in November after a year at the prison.

The Minister promised to send Mr Webb a copy of that report when it was complete. He also agreed to investigate reports that Avon and Somerset Police did not appreciate the seriousness of Roddy McLean's crimes until this was brought to their attention by the media several weeks after he had absconded. The Minister maintained, however, that security vetting had not changed and that no-one would be sent to an open prison such as Leyhill unless the prison service was confident that they did not represent a risk to the public.

Speaking after the debate, Mr Webb said: "I hope that this debate will have increased the awareness of government ministers of the concern that open prisons are being used for inappropriate inmates, simply because of pressures elsewhere in the system.

"I firmly believe that open prisons have a role to play, but to enable them to do their job properly they must not be sent people who are not suited to open conditions.

"I will continue to take a close interest in this issue and look forward to receiving a full report of the Government's investigation into the latest high-profile prisoner to abscond from Leyhill".