Oral QuestionNorthern Ireland Office

“Whether he has had discussions with the Irish government on UK-Ireland relations.”

Tabled: 17 July 2024Answered: 24 July 2024

Asked by

Dr Allison Gardner

Labour — Stoke-on-Trent South

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)

Prisoners are moved to an open prison as part of the rehabilitation process, but only after they pass a thorough risk assessment. Every prisoner, including those serving a sentence for a sexual offence, is subject to an individual risk assessment. They will not be allowed to move to an open prison unless they are assessed as presenting a low enough risk. A prisoner can be immediately returned from an open prison to closed conditions if their risk increases.