§ 45. Mr. McLoughlinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have absconded from Sudbury open prison in the last two years; whether he is satisfied with security arrangements there in the light of the absconding on the morning of 10 November of a prisoner convicted of murder; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorEighty prisoners absconded from Sudbury prison during 1985 and 50 during the first 10 months of this year. All of these were serving determinate sentences.
A life sentence prisoner is considered for transfer to an open prison only after careful assessment in a number of different prisons over a period of years. The advice of the parole board is sought in every case and transfer to an open prison is subject to the personal authority of a Minister. As in every decision relating to the progress towards the possible release of such prisoners, public safety is the paramount consideration and no life sentence prisoner is transferred to an open prison until he is thought no longer to present any serious risk of re-offending. I understand that my noble Friend the Minister of State will soon meet my hon. Friend to discuss the matter.