MP meets new Dartmoor Prison Governor

Geoffrey Cox recently visited Dartmoor Prison to meet the new Governor Tony Corcoran.

Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon recently visited Dartmoor Prison to meet the new Governor Tony Corcoran. The MP was escorted around the prison by the Governor, and made a point of seeing the pioneering Resettlement Unit, in which around 40-50 prisoners are prepared for outside work once they are released. The unit has proved to be very successful in reducing re-offending as it aims to equip prisoners with skills such as carpentry and masonry, which gives them a trade and helps them find employment.

Geoffrey Cox also met representatives of the Prison Officer's Association and Heads of departments to discuss the issues affecting Dartmoor Prison and the general problems facing the prison service and criminal justice system.

Geoffrey Cox said "it is pleasing to see the prison has recovered from problems in the past, and the new Governor has clearly established a new sense of direction and leadership. I am delighted to see the resettlement unit is able to do such extremely valuable work without interruption from pressures of prison numbers.

He continued "Several senior members of staff and professionals have expressed concern about risks after the recent Carter review, that prisons must not be places simply to warehouse those who are detained, but places of work and rehabilitation. I strongly agree and was able to assure them that with the Conservative proposals for prison trusts, rehabilitation and training would be at the heart of the prison system.