THE Prison Service has reassured staff that their jobs are safe following the news that the number of inmates at Kirkham Open Prison looks set to fall from 700 to 500.

The reduction is due to the success of the Home Detention Curfew scheme, which involves prisoners being tagged and allowed home.

Prison Service director general Martin Narey said: "If we are to make best use of our resources, we need to take a hard look at the viability of some of our open prisons.

"Home Detention Curfew has meant we have more than 700 spare spaces in open prisons which do not match our need for more secure accommodation for both men and women. Our evaluation project will scrutinise each of these proposals on the basis of cost and practicality. It will take into account staff concerns and reassure them that, as far as possible, they will be transferred to other jails if their prison is closed.

"I anticipate the results of the project will be ready early in the new year so that, if ministers agree, we can make a start on remodelling our prisons to match more closely the nature and type of prisons we hold."

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