Lib Dem councillors have backed a motion condemning the poor handling of the announcement that Ashfield YOI is to become a unit for sex offenders and have called for the prison to work with the community.

Cllr Claire Young (Lib Dem Lead Member for Communities) said, “We share the local community’s frustration about how this announcement has been handled. It is a very sensitive issue and it’s important that there is a way for local people to raise any concerns they have with the prison management so they can be resolved. At HMP Bure, a similar unit in Norfolk, a liaison committee was set up with local councillors and prison management to forge links between the prison and the local community. Rather than allowing local concern to escalate, I call on the National Offender Management Service to do the same for Pucklechurch.”

Notes:

Lib Dem amendment:
Add the following at the end of the motion:

“Calls on NOMS to set up a community liaison committee now, while discussions are still ongoing about the future of Ashfield, similar to that set up at HMP Bure, to forge links between the prison and the community.”

   Leave a comment