Meeting over prisoners' leave

Home visits are a vital part of prisoner rehabilitation

Jersey's prison governor is holding a meeting next week to begin a review of the system that allows prisoners out on leave.

Home visits have come in for criticism following the fifth escape from La Moye this year.

The prison governor Mike Kirby accepts there must be tighter controls on escorted home visits.

He says there is a comprehensive risk assessment for prisoners going on home leave but the controls are not always so robust if the prisoner is going to be escorted by a prison officer.

Home leaves suspended

24 -year-old Darren McCormack is still missing after running away from his warden at the weekend.

He says home visits are an important part of a prisoner's rehabilitation but he is meeting with Home Affairs and the Probation Service next week to review the system.

In the meantime all home leaves for prisoners have been suspended.