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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Lizzie Dearden

Fears of unrest as PM considers open prisons for more offenders

Ford open prison in West Sussex was the scene of a riot by inmates in 2011 that caused £5m damage.
Ford open prison in West Sussex was the scene of a riot by inmates in 2011 that caused £5m damage. Photograph: James Boardman/Alamy

The government is considering relaxing the restrictions on inmates who can be sent to open prisons, despite warnings that the move could increase violence, drug abuse and the potential for riots.

Under an unannounced policy first introduced by the Conservatives and expanded by Labour, officials have already been accelerating moves from closed to open prisons in order to ease overcrowding.

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