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Concerns Rise Over Potential Relaxation of Open Prison Policies

The government is weighing the option of easing restrictions on the types of inmates eligible for transfer to open prisons, a move that has generated considerable concern regarding the repercussions, including potential spikes in violence, drug use, and the risk of rioting.

This consideration comes as part of a policy shift that began under the Conservative government and has been expanded by Labour, focusing on accelerating transfers from closed to open prison facilities to address current overcrowding issues.

Recent figures disclosed to the Observer reveal that over 140 inmates have absconded from the lowest-security prisons in England and Wales within a span of just over two years, with insiders suggesting that the rate of absconding may have increased during the holiday season.

According to existing official guidelines, even if inmates express intentions to escape if moved, authorities are not permitted to prevent the transfer without substantial evidence to support their claims.

The government is contemplating the establishment of this temporary policy, which started on a limited basis in March 2023 and was subsequently expanded in November, into a permanent practice. Additionally, it is exploring changes that would enable inmates to be accommodated in open environments for up to five years prior to their release, as opposed to the present time frame of three years.

Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the Prison Officers’ Association, has voiced strong opposition to these proposals, highlighting that such changes would likely lead to increased violence, drug abuse, and instances of inmates absconding. He emphasized that the open estate is designed as a trusted environment, but is currently under-resourced in terms of security personnel and is ill-equipped to manage disorder effectively.

“Most individuals now accessing the open estate would have been deemed unsuitable in the past due to the relaxation of criteria aimed at accommodating overcrowding,” he remarked.

Open prisons are designed with “minimal security,” as defined by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to facilitate inmates’ engagement in work, education, and family visits to aid their reintegration into society. However, the staffing in these facilities is less rigorous compared to closed prisons, leading to infrequent security checks that were originally intended for inmates nearing the end of their sentences who had demonstrated good behavior.

Former Tory justice secretary David Gauke, currently leading a review of sentencing frameworks, supports the increased utilization of open prisons, arguing that they provide a cost-effective means to reduce recidivism. He stressed the importance of proper risk assessments before transfers occur, yet the government’s temporary presumptive recategorisation scheme (TPRS) permits the move of inmates to open prisons after only two weeks in secure custody.

New internal guidelines effective as of November 1 relaxed security prerequisites further, permitting offenders to transition into open environments even up to a year before their anticipated release without requiring a good behavior rating.

Documentation acquired by the Observer indicates that the only violent offenders excluded from this scheme are those serving sentences of four years or longer, which raises concerns regarding the suitability of those eligible for transfer.

This program operates independently of Labour’s early release initiative, which has resulted in the early release of over 3,000 individuals since September. Fairhurst noted that the TPRS is causing the system to admit unsuitable candidates into open prisons, which has coincided with reports of rising drug use, misconduct, and organized crime involvement.

Reports suggest that some inmates exhibit noncompliance, refusing to work and interacting with substances, along with incidents of absconding noted even during the holiday season. Fairhurst mentioned concerns around the lack of thorough searches, which could lead to inmates walking back into the facility with contraband.

Data acquired through freedom of information requests indicates that 143 incidents of absconding occurred between January 2022 and March last year, a significant concern for prison authorities.

Unlike escapes from secure facilities, it is reported that absconding from open prisons does not involve overcoming rigorous physical security measures.

Tom Wheatley, president of the Prison Governors’ Association, pointed to the heightened risks involved when inmates are transferred to open prisons against their wishes, often to facilities that are distant from their families and support systems. He criticized the selection process for the TPRS as overly simplistic and unable to adequately assess risk.

Despite the government’s assertion that open prisons effectively aid rehabilitation efforts and minimize recidivism risks, Fairhurst contended that the current policy prioritizes managing overcrowding over rehabilitation and fails to consider the insights of professionals working within the open prison system. He warned of potential crises recalling past events, such as the notorious riot at Ford open prison in 2011, which highlighted the risks associated with insufficient staffing and management.

The MoJ issued a statement indicating that the government inherited a severely strained prison system and has taken measures to prevent overflow and safeguard public safety. It reassured that only lower-risk offenders who meet strict eligibility criteria are considered for transfer to open facilities. The statement reinforced that those who abscond would face serious consequences, including potential returns to closed facilities and added sentence time.

Source
www.theguardian.com