Concern over Reid jail plans

Monday 9th October 2006, 10:20AM BST.

Shrewsbury’s prison is among the most overcrowded in the UK, constantly running at its full 340 capacity. Governor Gerry Hendry said the jail was unlikely to be affected by the announcement.

One option being considered by Mr Reid is the transfer of inmates in secure prisons to open jails, where there is minimum security and prisoners can simply walk out the front gate.

A leaked memo reveals he has accepted more break-outs are inevitable.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis described it as a “scandalous disregard for public safety”. On average, two prisoners a day have walked out of open jails in England and Wales over the last five years.

Another option could see police cells used to hold inmates. Shrewsbury police, said they had not been approached at this stage to house any prisoners at the station’s new custody block. Popular stories: