the gazette isle of wight
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Walk the Wight memories Page 13
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Carisbrooke Castle: the movie Page 15
28-page Lifestyle supplement: centre pullout
War of words over prisons clustering plan NEW governor Barry Greenberry has vehemently denied suggestions that the prison re-structuring on the Island could present a danger to the general public.
As the flag was raised to herald the amalgamation of Parkhurst, Albany and Camp Hill into Her Majesty’s Prison – Isle of Wight, Mr Greenberry insisted security would not be put at risk by the shake-up. He was responding to comments by Colin Moses, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association, who claimed his union was “totally opposed” to the idea of prison clustering, and the changes would significantly affect the security and custody of the complex on the outskirts of Newport. Mr Greening has spent the past
By Peter White five months masterminding the reforms. He now takes the place of the three previous governors, who are among 30 job losses – most by natural wastage. He said: “I am not interested in union bashing. Colin Moses has the right to express his concerns, but no one should express them in as way that might cause unnecessary concern. “I respect the fact that in the prison service the staff are collectively represented, and there is a process to discuss and manage change. But I can reassure everyone that these changes will not affect the security of the prison. “They are changes in administration and routine, and there is not one less uniformed staff
member here after the amalgamation on April 1 as there was on March 31.” The new governor accepted the plan is designed with costcutting in mind. He said: “The target is to reduce costs by £1.1million a year, and to reduce it as one prison makes economic sense. If you had to save it from three prisons individually it would affect the front line a lot more.” But he is adamant the change is the way forward. “There has been uncertainty for many years, but the biggest thing that this change has brought is the fact that the brake has come off the place. “The managers, staff, and the prisoners want to introduce other things. I believe the biggest Continued on page 2
Wind of change: a flag is raised for the arrival of HMP – Isle of Wight
IW passport fears dismissed as ‘plainly daft’ by Island MP
ISLAND MP Andrew Turner has described as “plainly daft” suggestions that photo ID could soon be required to board IW ferries.
Reports claimed powers contained within the Police and Justice Act of 2006 designed to counter terrorism and organised crime by recording the details of passengers on domestic flights and ferry services could be extended to IW ferry services. It was reported that a Home Office spokesman had confirmed that the Island would be included in the new measures due to be announced later this year. The Home Office has sub-
sequently confirmed that there are no plans for this to happen. Mr Turner said: “If a Home Office spokesman did say such a thing then he clearly needs his head examining. The idea that counter terrorism legislation should be applied to the Island is plainly daft. You can drive from John O’Groats to Lands End without needing any ID – why should the Island be singled out simply because you need a ferry to reach us? I have asked the Home Secretary what investigations she has made into terrorism and organised crime on the Isle of Wight and look forward with interest to her answer.”