Criminals face tougher tests before move to open prison

Criminals will be barred from transferring to an open prison unless they pass three tough new tests, Dominic Raab announces today.

The Justice Secretary is to shift the burden of proof on to serious offenders to justify why they should be allowed to move to the more liberal open prison regime in readiness for release.

The three steps, introduced from tomorrow, will require them, first, to prove they are highly unlikely to abscond based on their adherence to rules and restrictions during their time in a closed prison.

Secondly, they will have to show the move is “essential” for them to work

‘Keeping the public safe is the Government’s first duty. That’s why I’m toughening the test criminals must pass’

towards future release and that this could not be done by them remaining in a closed prison.

Thirdly, they will have to prove the move would not undermine public confidence in the wider criminal justice system, a condition focused on highprofile and dangerous offenders whom the public would expect to be held in a secure environment.

The crackdown follows a series of escapes of criminals from open prisons including Paul Robson, a serial sex offender who absconded from a jail in Boston, Lincolnshire, and Jason Mills, a convicted killer who failed to return to HMP Leyhill, after day release.

After Robson’s escape, Mr Raab said he, rather than officials, would decide whether to go ahead with a parole board recommendation to transfer any serious offender from a closed to an open prison, a move designed to establish their readiness for release from jail.

Mr Raab said: “Keeping the public safe is the Government’s first duty. That’s why I’m toughening up the test the most dangerous criminals must pass before they can move [to] open prisons.”