News story

6th January 2004

Home Secretary Admits Blunder over Leyhill Escape

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Click on the link below to see how this story was reported:

* Western Daily Press

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Speaking today in the House of Commons in response to a question from Northavon MP Steve Webb, the Home Secretary has admitted that a mistake was made in sending a violent drug dealer to Leyhill Open Prison. Roddy McLean, who was sentenced to 21 years for serious drugs-related offences, absconded from Leyhill prison in late December and has not so far been re-arrested.

Local MP Steve Webb challenged the Home Secretary about fears that unsuitable people are being sent to Leyhill because of over-crowding elsewhere in the prison system. Steve Webb told MPs that Leyhill did good work in preparing low risk prisoners for release but said it was vital that people were properly vetted before they were sent into open conditions.

In reply, the Home Secretary said that it was “patently obvious” that a mistake had been made in sending McLean to Leyhill, although he said that McLean had been transferred from a Category C prison and that normal procedures had been followed.

He confirmed that an investigation would be launched into this specific case and also said that the Home Office was looking into the whole question of how Open prisons were being run.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

“I support the principle of open prisons and the work that staff at Leyhill do. But they are put in an impossible position if unsuitable inmates are sent to Leyhill. I welcome the fact that the Home Secretary admitted to me that mistakes were made in this case, I will be seeking to ensure that lessons are learned”.
 

Click here to read the Commons exchange between David Blunkett and Steve Webb.