 |
answer text |
<p>The below table provides the number of prisoners serving both determinate and indeterminate
sentences currently residing in open prisons, by offence group.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Prisoners
serving a custodial sentence in open prisons </strong><strong>by offence group, as
at 30 September 2014, England and Wales</strong></p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td> </td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td> </td><td><p><strong>30-Sep-14</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Violence
against the person</p></td><td><p>1,131</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Sexual offences</p></td><td><p>285</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Robbery</p></td><td><p>422</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Burglary</p></td><td><p>289</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Theft
and handling</p></td><td><p>113</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Fraud and forgery</p></td><td><p>253</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Drug
offences</p></td><td><p>1,153</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Motoring offences</p></td><td><p>33</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other
offences</p></td><td><p>467</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Offence not recorded</p></td><td><p>1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>All</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>4,147</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Note:
</strong></p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>This information does not include:</p></td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td><p>Category D prisoners held in non predominant function open prisons</p></td><td>
</td></tr><tr><td><p>Category D prisoners held in open sites that are part of multi-site
establishments performing different functions</p></td><td> </td></tr><tr><td><p>Category
D prisoners held in small (under 50 place) open units at predominant function closed
prisons</p></td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p>There
are two means by which indeterminate sentenced prisoners (ISPs – both those serving
life and indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPPs)) – are considered for
transfer to open conditions. The principal means is by way of a positive recommendation
from the independent Parole Board, which falls to officials either to accept or reject
on behalf of the Secretary of State, under agreed delegated authority and in accordance
with policy agreed by the Secretary of State. However, ISPs may also apply to progress
to open conditions without a positive recommendation from the Parole Board being sought,
where they can show exceptional progress in reducing their risk. Each application
is determined on its merits under agreed delegated authority by officials in the Offender
Management and Public Protection Group in the Ministry of Justice.</p><p> </p><p>Determinate
sentenced prisoners are assessed for their suitability for open conditions by experienced
prison staff with relevant input from offender managers and other professionals within
the prison. The assessment will consider the extent to which the prisoner has reduced
identified risks and any intelligence or other information that provides evidence
of the prisoner’s trustworthiness for conditions of very low security. Determinate
sentence prisoners should not generally be moved to open prison if they have more
than two years to serve to their earliest release date, unless assessment of a prisoner’s
individual risks and needs support earlier categorisation to open conditions. Such
cases must have the reasons for their categorisation fully documented and confirmed
in writing by the Governing Governor.</p><p> </p><p>All those located in open conditions
have been rigorously risk assessed and their risks have been deemed manageable in
open conditions.</p><p> </p><p>The public have understandable concerns about the failure
of a small minority of prisoners to return from temporary release from open prison.
Keeping the public safe is our priority and we will not allow the actions of these
offenders to undermine public confidence in the prison system. The number of temporary
release failures remains very low; less that one failure in every 1,000 temporary
releases and about five in every 100,000 temporary releases involving alleged offending,
but we take each and every incident seriously. The Government has already ordered
immediate changes to tighten up the system as a matter of urgency. Prisoners are now
no longer eligible for transfer to open conditions if they have previously absconded
from open prisons, or if they have failed to return or reoffended whilst released
on temporary licence, unless there are exceptional circumstances.</p>
|
|
