Two more sex offenders at open prison (From South Wales Argus)

Two more sex offenders at open prison

5:02pm Monday 22nd January 2007

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CAMPAIGNERS reacted with anger after they were told two more sex offenders were transferred to Prescoed Prison.

They said the move, revealed to them by prison bosses, confirmed their fears that the number of sex offenders housed at the jail, in Usk, would rise after prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe refused to review the controversial policy of housing sex offenders in open conditions.

Mr Sutcliffe said the number of sex offenders sent to Prescoed could rise to as many as 20.

Alec Leathwood, from Usk Town Council's prison sub-committee, said: "The prison have told us two more sex offenders have now been transferred there, making three all together.

"This comes just two weeks after the minister said the numbers could rise. It's very concerning and confirms our fears there will be more coming."

Usk Mayor Kay Peacock added: "We hope there is no more but they just don't seem to see the problem. It's very frustrating and makes us very angry."

Last week the Argus revealed 89 prisoners have absconded from Prescoed since April 2001, with 14 so far this financial year.

There are currently four abscondees still at large, including killer Graham Dean, 60, who walked out of Prescoed on June 16 last year.

The Usk community reacted with fury in the summer when convicted child rapists John Elms and Martin Aspinall went on the run for after fleeing the prison grounds. They were caught nearby.

Campaigners in Usk are due to meet to discuss how they will step up their fight to force the government to scrap the controversial policy.

They are considering whether to write to every MP in the country and hope to hold a debate on the issue in Westminster.

A Home Office spokeswoman refused to comment.

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