UK prison crisis ‘no bar to transfer of Jersey inmates’

Saturday 27th January 2007, 12:00AM GMT.

PRISON overcrowding in the UK should not stop UK prisoners at La Moye being sent home, according to governor Steve Guy-Gibbens.

Speaking in response to the well-publicised crisis in England and Wales, he said that the Island authorities enjoyed a very good relationship with the UK Prison Service. ‘Overcrowding in the UK hasn’t had any effect so far,’ he said. ‘Obviously I am aware of the problems they have there as they are dealing with nearly 80,000 prisoners. However, because we have such a good relationship, the situation would have to be pretty bad before they would say no to the two or three inmates from Jersey who we wanted to move. I don’t anticipate any difficulties.’ Mr Guy-Gibbons said La Moye was ‘not under tremendous strain’ at the moment, especially as the new wing was now being used. As of yesterday, there are 179 prisoners at the jail.

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