Only ‘open prison’ places in the country to be scrapped in budget cuts

Jan 11 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

THE only open prison places for juveniles in the country are to be scrapped at an institution in Warrington because funding has been withdrawn.

Staff at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution are said to be distraught after the Youth Justice Board announced it is withdrawing funding for the 60 places available for under-18s.

The body says the number of occupied places is too low to justify funding, but chairwoman of the centre’s independent monitoring board, Jean Whittaker, thinks the cuts will have a detrimental effect on offenders’ rehabilitation.

The prison on Arley Road, Appleton Thorn, holds more than 300 inmates, most of whom are aged between 18 and 21.

It is understood the 60 places will now be filled with more offenders within this age group.

Ms Whittaker said: “We are all so upset, so much work has been put in to help rehabilitate these young people and now no more will have the chance to come to an open prison.

“Our system really makes a difference because it changes the boys that come here, they learn to respect others and how to interact in society.

“A lot of them have had a troubled upbringing and this is why they have broken the law. We really felt the unit helped break the cycle of reoffending and cannot believe the places are going.”

Ms Whittaker added: “Jack Straw visited the prison a few months ago and was so impressed by the success we were having. It is a crying shame.”

The open prison, built in 1985, offers young offenders a chance to work in the community and holds various training courses to aid rehabilitation. Only those with less than two years to serve can go there.

A youth justice spokesperson said: “Although the Youth Justice Board has 60 available places at Thorn Cross, the number of places occupied has remained extremely low for a some time. We have notified the prison service we want to stop buying places for young people at the Open Unit, Thorn Cross.

“Due to budget concerns, we have been forced to prioritise and the decision has been taken, in consultation with the prison service, to pull out of the unit. We anticipate the empty places will be filled by those aged 18-21, in keeping with the rest of Thorn Cross population.”

lizawilliams