Reid admits 'mistake' on prison places

Published on Saturday 27 January 2007 12:01

HOME Secretary John Reid admitted it was a "mistake" for the Government not to foresee it would need more prison places to cope with the increasing numbers of offenders sent to jail.

Dr Reid was struggling with the prisons overcrowding crisis after a second child sex offender was released by a judge because of the shortage of places.

Last night, Dr Reid admitted: "It is a mistake not to forecast that we would require larger number of prisons than we have got at present, by putting away a greater number of dangerous offenders for a longer period," he said.

"I have attempted to remedy that by a 'buy and build' policy of already asking for 8000 more prison places."

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) also weighed into the row urging the courts not to release dangerous offenders.

In a statement last night, Acpo president Ken Jones acknowledged more prison places were needed, but said it was important the public was not put at risk.

"Courts releasing inappropriate offenders into our communities present avoidable risks, and can only undermine public confidence," he said.

Yesterday, Judge Graham Cottle at Exeter Crown Court, freed 46-year-old Keith Morris, from Newton Abbott, Devon, on bail while he awaited sentencing, despite concerns he represented a threat to children. He said he had taken the decision "because of the rather unusual circumstances in operation at the moment".