By What are open prisons and how could Paul Robson escape one?
Convited sex offender Paul Robson is currently on the run after absconding from HMP North Sea Camp open prison.
The 56-year-old, who has been denied parole five times, walked straight out of the Lincolnshire prison on Sunday 13 February.
Although the moved was approved by the board in 2021 he wasn’t moved until January 21 this year, escaping not even a month later.
Open prisons such as North Sea Camp aim to offer rehabilitation to low-risk offenders who are unlikely to commit more crimes once they leave prison.
Prisoners are given complete trust and minimal supervision in open prisons, and are able to leave the premises to go to work should they choose to.
Questions have been sent towards Justice Secretary Dominic Rabb on why a dangerous criminal like Robson was allowed to be moved to an open prison.
The idea behing open prison is to rehabilitate as opposed to punish, but prisoners are not allowed to leave the premises without a purpose.
In England there are 13 open prisons for men and two for women.
Once captured, Robson will return to closed prison and it will be a further two years before he is eligible for parole again, however, the fact that he has absconded will majorly decearse the likelihood of the board ever hearing his plea.
Robson was jailed at Oxford Crown Court in 2000 after he entered a woman’s home through a cat flap before tying her up, putting a pillowcase over her head, and brutally assaulting her while holding a knife to her throat.
Robson is described as white, of slim build, bald and was last seen with a long goatee beard.
Lincolnshire Police have urged the public not to approach him as he “poses a real risk to the public.”
Anyone who might have seen Robson or who has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact Lincolnshire Police by calling 999.
