Part of South Staffordshire crisis prison to become open jail
Part of an under-performing South Staffordshire prison will be turned into an open jail, it has been announced.
The move at HMP Oakwood in Featherstone, which will see some prisoners regularly allowed out into the community, has been dubbed 'half-baked' by an MP.
The revelation comes a week after the Ministry of Justice said the prison's performance was 'of serious concern'.
Under the changes category D prisoners, considered the lowest risk and unlikely to escape, will be given more freedom.
They are currently being held at the jail but dealt with as category C prisoners who are not afforded the same privileges.
John McLaughlin, the director of the Oaks Drive jail, which is run by private firm G4S, said: "We have around 150 category D prisoners at the moment but we are a category C prison.
We are about a month away from having a category D wing established. When space becomes available in other prisons, category D prisoners will move elsewhere. There are no safety issues here.
"We are not putting anyone at risk. We've done huge risk assessments."
But Gavin Williamson, Tory MP for South Staffordshire, called the move 'half-baked' and said: "Until they can run Oakwood as it is, I don't think they should have an open prison.
"I'm disgusted at this proposal. It is a half-baked idea.
"I will be speaking to the Prisons Minister about this. At the very least I would have expected to be involved in a consultation. Frankly though they should be more concerned about the job in hand, making the prison better."
Featherstone parish councillor John Brindle added: "They have not consulted in the village, with the parish, district or county councils. They ought to have done consultation. This kind of thing makes people worry it will de-value their houses. It now looks as good as done though.
