Andrew Snowden told the Commons that prisoners who fail a drug test on arrival at HMP Kirkham should return to closed conditions. The prisons minister pointed to a review led by Amber Rudd.
Inspectors praised the Gloucestershire open prison's leadership, safety and health care, while finding that education and training still fell short of what an open prison should offer.
The 2025/26 prison performance ratings show 16 jails rated ‘outstanding’ and 14 ‘of serious concern’. HMPPS said the scale of change probably overstates the real improvement.
A report led by an HMPPS researcher found that men in open prisons faced long waits for day release, and that some risked leaving custody without a safe address.
A man already serving two life sentences for attacks on women absconded on day release from HMP North Sea Camp and attacked a student in Sheffield.
South Gloucestershire councillors have backed Ministry of Justice plans to add space for 120 more prisoners at the open prison, despite objections from the local parish council.
Government figures show 11 of 34 Parole Board recommendations for IPP prisoners were overruled in early 2025, nearly double the rejection rate for life-sentenced prisoners.
The Government has announced a review of security at the open prison after three prisoners went missing, prompting a police manhunt and questions in Parliament.
Inspectors found the two Monmouthshire prisons safe and settled, with strong relationships between staff and prisoners, though Prescoed's open prison left some men underoccupied and waiting too long for temporary release.
The Cumbrian open prison for men convicted of sexual offences earned the top grade in every healthy prison test, up from one good grade at its previous inspection in 2021.
