A very dangerous man absconded from an open prison in Kent last weekend, causing severe concern for the safety of the public in South East England. The escaped prisoner in question, who has thankfully now been recaptured, was serving 13 life sentences for armed robberies.
Whilst this episode is more than a bit embarrassing to HM Prison Service, the relevant questions need to be directed at why such a prisoner was in an open prison in the first place, rather than why we actually have open jails. A more pertinent question could be why this man was given a minimum tariff of just 8 years for 13 life sentences, taking on board that we are not talking about a man with no previous convictions!
Open Prisons often provide an invaluable link for low risk offenders, in terms of rehabilitation back into the community. One ill judged decision to place an unsuitable offender must not undervalue the important work in which open prisons undertake.
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