Gavin Williamson MP for South Staffordshire has met with Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright MP to seek assurances over residents concerns about the category of prisoners in the open part of HMP Featherstone.
Gavin Williamson MP demanded a meeting with Jeremy Wright MP the Prisons Minister to seek categorical assurances that no sex-offenders would be in the open jail.
Commenting on the meeting Gavin Williamson MP said:
'I have been given a categorical commitment that there will be no sex offenders of paedophiles which is very important for local people. The Minister has also committed to a meeting with myself and representatives from Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council, County Councillors and the Leader of Staffordshire District Council to listen to concerns. Hopefully these will then be taken on board and action may be taken to alleviate our concerns.
Residents don't want an open prison and so if there has to be one we want to know that it will be properly controlled, with no paedophiles or sex offenders in it and I am pleased the Ministry of Justice has agreed with this. I am encouraged by the way that the new Minister is listening to our concerns'.
The new prison was announced in August. A section of HMP Featherstone will become an open prison for up to 256 inmates.