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Revealed: The offences committed by prisoners at Boston’s open prison
AN INVESTIGATION by The Standard into HMP North Sea Camp open prison has revealed the offences which were committed by prisoners, including 66 counts of murder/attempted murder.
The figures, which were obtained through a Freedom of Information request, have divided opinion – with some people concerned about high-level offences, while other sections of the community argue these inmates have been rehabilitated.
David Smith, of Fishtoft, said: “I can’t believe the number of prisoners in for offences of violent and/or sexual offences, especially those involving children.
“It beggars belief some of these people are allowed to come and go.”
Tracey Gedney, 30, of King Street, Boston, said she wanted to move after finding out the figures for the more serious offences.
She said: “They shouldn’t be in there, they should be in a locked-up prison where they can’t get out.”
But others claim the prisoners, many of whom are at the end of their sentences, make valuable contributions to the town.
Community cohesion officer for South Lincs CVS Mandy Exley has worked with the prison when organising events around Boston for the past six years.
She said: “In all the events we organise, we have never had a problem with anybody. They’re all-too willing to help.”
She added events such as the Community Showcase would not have happened without the prisoners’ help.
“We value them as much as they value the opportunities we give them,” she said.
Deputy governor at the Freiston Shore prison Alison Turner (pictured) moved to reassure people.
She said: “Prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public.”
She added open prisons have existed since 1936 and are the most effective means of ensuring prisoners are tested in the community before they are released.
Official figures show 14 prisoners absconded between June 2010 and June 2011.
FACTFILE: The prisoner numbers
Arson/Arson with Intent/Conspire to commit: 16
Burglary/Aggravated Burglary/Conspiracy to commit: 19
Robbery/Conspire to Rob/Attempted Robbery/Assault with intent to Rob: 45
Theft: 4
Death by Dangerous or Reckless driving: 7
Dangerous Driving: 2
Drink-Driving: 2
Kidnapping/Conspiracy to Kidnap/Abduction: 4
False Imprisonment: 2
Harassment: 1
Manslaughter: 12
Murder/Attempted Murder: 66
Rape/Attempted Rape: 28
Buggery: 3
Sexual Assault: 6
Sexual Activity or Sexual Assault/Offences involving children: 12
Trespass with intent to commit sexual offence: 1
Indecent Photographs: 1
Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm (inc Attempting): 33
Grievous Bodily Harm/Grievous Bodily Harm with intent: 20
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm: 3
Using threatening behaviour: 1
Common Assault: 2
Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life: 7
Having firearm or offensive weapon in public: 5
Possession/Supply/Importing/Conspiracy to supply or Production of drugs: 39
Trafficking persons: 2
Other Immigration Offences: 2
Blackmail: 1
Fraud/Conspiracy to Defraud/Deception: 11
Tax Evasion: 7
Attempting to pervert the course of justice: 2
Other Miscellaneous offences: 11.
l The numbers are the breakdown of prisoners at North Sea Camp listed by their main offence as at January 24, 2012.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
riversidemale
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 03:29 PMsparkles having worked in the Criminal Justice System for over 26 years let me assure you that over 70% of prisoners re offender, most with the first 12 months.Open Prison do not work just speak to the prisoners they will tell you its like a holiday camp. Mobile phones, drugs are every where within the prison if you want it it can be got and who brings these things in, well it may surprise you but its the prisoners on day release among others.
sparkles
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:22 AMI don't live far from the prison and I have to say I am not worried at all, and expected those figures to be honest. I thought it was a well known fact that prisoners are moved into open prisons if they prove they are trustworthyare coming to the end of their sentence. It is an important part of reintergration into society. As stated by the previous justice minister Maria Eagle: "Transfer of any prisoner to open conditions will only take place if continued detention in closed conditions is no longer necessary for the protection of the public. Open conditions allow prisoners to find work, re-establish family ties and reintegrate into the community. All these are essential components for successful resettlement and an important factor in protecting the public." Seems like another case of Not In My Backyard. Why not have faith in these prisoners and allow them to change, their conviction does not define them. They should be allowed to reintroduce themselves into society so that when they leave they will have something to work for and therefore reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Peoples attitudes honestly shock me, they are basically saying 'once a murderer, always a murderer'. I really hope that people in the prison are informed of these attitudes so they can make sure they prove you wrong.
riversidemale
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:06 PMIt's all well and good South Lincs CVS Mandy Exley and Deputy governor Alison Turner making comments like that but do these two live near the prison and can Alison Turner guarentee that these prisoners are safe, the answer is No she can't no one can. God forbid but what will it take before something is done do we have to wait for a sex offender to abduct a local child and then listen to Alison Turner state it is an isolated incident. No we shouldnot have to live in fear of one of these sex offenders or violent criminals roaming the streets. It 's wrong as simple as that NO ifs or buts just WRONG
woodstar
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:32 PMI often make deliveries to the prison, and they let meask me to go down to the Stores to make the delivery because they won't sigh for it at security. I didn't realise there was murderers etc in there!!! I thought it was petty crime prisoners at the very most! SHOCKING!
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