Bus proposed to ship ex-Oakwood cons from village

Residents in Featherstone complained ex-prisoners were knocking on their doors and asking for directions having left G4S run HMP Oakwood.

Such was the problem, South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson met with prison bosses in a bid to come up with a solution.

And he today revealed that bosses were now looking into the possibility of launching a shuttle service to ferry prisoners to bus stations that link to Cannock or Wolverhampton once they are released.

It is believed the service would also be available from inmates leaving HMP Featherstone and Brinsford Young Offenders Institute.

Mr Williamson said: "We had a meeting with G4S and members of Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council regarding some the issues that have been raised by residents. They told me they were looking to put together a shuttle service that would serve not only HMP Oakwood but Brinsford and Featherstone prisons too.

"It's not right that ex-cons are wandering around Featherstone and Brinsford without a clue where to go and by having a bus service could eliminate that problem. The plan is they could be taken to a bus stop which links them to either Cannock or Wolverhampton."

Mr Williamson added he had been assured by Oakwood bosses that prisoners weren't simply thrown out the front door on release.

He said: "I'm told that they provide a map and information of the nearest transport links to prisoners. They also find out how they are being picked up on release."

G4S said it had been made aware of concerns raised by residents and that it had been in discussions with South Staffordshire Council about the practicality of having a shuttle service that serves the three prisons.

The Ministry of Justice, which runs HMP Featherstone and HMYOI Brinsford, said it currently had no plans to bring in the buses but had made contact with the district council about the issue.

HMP Oakwood has been at the centre of a catalogue of dramas and been criticised heavily since it opened in April 2012.

The £150 million privately run prison was the scene of a riot in early January which is still being investigated by Staffordshire Police. It followed closely on from two rooftop protests.

The prison was heavily criticised in a report last year as it emerged that the jail was dubbed 'Jokewood' in prison circles.

The damning paper revealed prisoners claimed drugs were easier to get their hands on inside HMP Oakwood than soap.