Menu
26/05/2006
Foreign prisoners to be moved from open jail
Foreign prisoners being held at Ford open prison are to be returned to closed prisons, the Prison Service has announced.
The announcement comes after 11 prisoners absconded from the prison this month. They included Jamaican drug dealer Ransford James Baker, who was facing deportation.
The announcement will be a further embarrassment for the Home Office, which has faced strong criticism since the revelation that over a thousand foreign prisoners were released without being considered for deportation.
A Prison Service spokesperson said that the decision had been taken because of the "current high abscond level at Ford amongst this group of prisoners".
The spokesperson said: "The prisoners are all being returned to closed conditions where they will be fully and rigorously risk-assessed before any decision is made on the level of security that they require."
The Prison Service said that no foreign prisoners had absconded from any other open prisons since May 1.
Commenting on the situation, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Nick Clegg said: "Given the Government's well publicised drive to deport foreign prisoners, this state of affairs could surely have been predicted. They should have been moved to more secure surroundings far earlier.
"We need an urgent review of the inmates in Britain's open prisons to make sure more of those who should be deported do not escape.
"But with higher security prisons already overcrowded, where is the Prison Service going to put these people? This situation is in danger of reaching crisis proportions."
(KMcA)
The announcement comes after 11 prisoners absconded from the prison this month. They included Jamaican drug dealer Ransford James Baker, who was facing deportation.
The announcement will be a further embarrassment for the Home Office, which has faced strong criticism since the revelation that over a thousand foreign prisoners were released without being considered for deportation.
A Prison Service spokesperson said that the decision had been taken because of the "current high abscond level at Ford amongst this group of prisoners".
The spokesperson said: "The prisoners are all being returned to closed conditions where they will be fully and rigorously risk-assessed before any decision is made on the level of security that they require."
The Prison Service said that no foreign prisoners had absconded from any other open prisons since May 1.
Commenting on the situation, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Nick Clegg said: "Given the Government's well publicised drive to deport foreign prisoners, this state of affairs could surely have been predicted. They should have been moved to more secure surroundings far earlier.
"We need an urgent review of the inmates in Britain's open prisons to make sure more of those who should be deported do not escape.
"But with higher security prisons already overcrowded, where is the Prison Service going to put these people? This situation is in danger of reaching crisis proportions."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 May 2006
Blair announces plans to toughen deportation laws
Tony Blair unveiled plans to toughen deportation laws to ensure that all foreign prisoners convicted of serious crimes are deported from the UK, during a stormy Prime Minister's question time.
Blair announces plans to toughen deportation laws
Tony Blair unveiled plans to toughen deportation laws to ensure that all foreign prisoners convicted of serious crimes are deported from the UK, during a stormy Prime Minister's question time.
25 April 2006
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
Foreign prisoners escape deportation
More than 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released in the UK instead of being deported, Home Office figures have shown. The number includes three murderers and nine rapists, as well as five people convicted of committing sex offences on children, seven convicted for other sex offences, 57 for violent offences and two for manslaughter.
26 January 2007
Government announces tougher border controls
The government has announced plans to introduce tougher powers for immigration officers with the publication of the new UK Borders Bill. The Bill will give the new Border and Immigration Agency a wide range of new powers to deter, detect and deport those breaking the rules.
Government announces tougher border controls
The government has announced plans to introduce tougher powers for immigration officers with the publication of the new UK Borders Bill. The Bill will give the new Border and Immigration Agency a wide range of new powers to deter, detect and deport those breaking the rules.
26 April 2006
Conservatives call for Clarke's resignation
The Conservatives have called for Home Secretary Charles Clarke to resign following revelations that more than 1,000 foreign prisoners were released from prison without being screened for deportation. Three murderers and nine rapists were among the criminals who were released from prison since 1999.
Conservatives call for Clarke's resignation
The Conservatives have called for Home Secretary Charles Clarke to resign following revelations that more than 1,000 foreign prisoners were released from prison without being screened for deportation. Three murderers and nine rapists were among the criminals who were released from prison since 1999.
24 October 2007
Deportees Fill Two British Jails
It has emerged that two prisons in England are occupied entirely by foreign inmates awaiting deportation. Bullwood Hall in Essex currently holds 154 prisoners, while Canterbury Prison in Kent is holding another 284, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers has revealed.
Deportees Fill Two British Jails
It has emerged that two prisons in England are occupied entirely by foreign inmates awaiting deportation. Bullwood Hall in Essex currently holds 154 prisoners, while Canterbury Prison in Kent is holding another 284, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers has revealed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
