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Andrews case 'gives open prisons a bad name': Ann Widdecombe

Ann Widdecombe
Ann Widdecombe

The case of escaped murderer Jane Andrews brings "the whole open prison system into disrepute".

That's according to Maidstone and The Weald MP Ann Widdecombe, who thinks the open prison system is, in fact, a big success.

Jane Andrews, 42, disappeared from East Sutton Park Prison in Kent on Sunday night but was found in a Maidstone hotel in the early hours of the morning.

She disappeared just four days after being moved to the jail.

Ms Widdecombe is very concerned about the pressure being put on prison governors.

She said: "Because of the huge pressure on prison places governors are being in turn pressured into recategorising people into open prison who normally they would have said no to. They are being pressurised to free up places in the closed system.

Jane Andrews
Jane Andrews

"This girl was not ready, she cannot have been ready."

Asst Ch Const Andy Adams thanked the public and media for their help in locating Ms Andrews.

He said: "We are pleased to say that she is safe and has been returned to custody.

"While we can't at this stage confirm the exact nature of how we found Ms Andrews, we can say that a number of people, including those from the Ministry of Justice, assisted us greatly in our inquiries and we are grateful for that help."

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