Prison and chips: Ford security new claims

SECURITY at Ford Open Prison is so bad that inmates walk out through a gap in the security fence and go for drinks at the local pub, or take taxis to Littlehampton to collect fish and chip suppers, a resident has told the West Sussex Gazette.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Nov 2006, 15:42 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:53 BST

The claims have come in response to suggestions by the prison governor, Fiona Radford, that the prison could be upgraded to take Category C offenders.

A secret memo revealed that Ford Prison was considering building a higher-category prison on the site, to accommodate prisoners including those who had been sentenced for up to seven years for violent or sexual offences.

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But the resident, who lives close to the prison but wants to remain anonymous, said: "I have watched prisoners walk out of the prison through a gap in the security fence, stroll across the field for an after Sunday lunch drink at the pub and then stroll back.

"I have also seen, in broad daylight, cars pull up and goods in plastic bags be passed to prisoners and then taken into the prison. Local taxi drivers say that prisoners order taxis for prisoners to go to Littlehampton to collect up to 30 fish suppers at a time to take back for the inmates.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette November 8

Related topics:FordLittlehamptonWest Sussex Gazette