Guards use taxis to move inmates
Taxis are being used to transfer potentially-dangerous criminals and their prison officer escorts around the county.
A new report revealed that offenders were transported in the backs of cabs from Ford Open Prison, near Littlehampton, to Lewes, a closed gaol.
The cost of each journey, if booked by a member of the public through a private hire fire in Littlehampton, was around £40.
The annual report of Ford's Independent Monitoring Board, covering a period from November 2005 to October 2006, stated: "Generally local taxis are used to transfer offenders and escort officers to HMP Lewes and other neighbouring establishments."
It did not state why taxis instead of secure prison vans were used, how many journeys were made, or how much it cost the taxpayer.
Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: "That will raise some eyebrows."
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He wanted to know what the overall bill was but felt it might be acceptable if cost-effective and secure.
Ford governor Fiona Radford said: "Most people are passive removals each escorted by two prison officers. If we think they are a higher risk we usually put them in a more secure van."
The number of prisoners moved by taxis varied, with none in some weeks and several in others.
She said taxis were a cheaper way of transporting them because Ford did not have to provide its own driver.
The prison had a contract with a local cab company and £40 "wasn't that bad" when compared to the cost of using a van, which took an extra member of staff away from the prison.
The report called for drugs dogs to be used to collar inmates with Class A drugs such as cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine.
Last year The Argus revealed that Ford was among the 40 worst jails for drug-taking, with 14 per cent of inmates failing mandatory random drugs tests.
The report said: "The security department has achieved significant success over the last year with seizures of drugs, alcohol, mobile phones and other illicit items.
"There is, however, evidence that, due to the shorter term offender coming to Ford, drugs are tending much more towards class A and this is of considerable concern.
"The provision of drugs dogs is considered a paramount requirement if the problem is to to contained.
"Additional funding for extra staff and surveillance equipment would undoubtedly improve the situation."
The Board said the number of absonders from Ford remained unacceptably high.
Monitors were also concerned about hygiene in the prison kitchens, and criticised the quality and quantity of food served up.
The kitchens needed "effective deep-cleaning" and prisoners should get more fruit, green vegetables and salad.
Miss Radford said a dog-handler and two dogs would be stationed at the prison during 2007-08.
She said the number of absconders was falling year on year, from 142 in 2003-04 to around 70.
There had been a lot of work to address hygiene problems, with stricter cleaning and extra equipment.
Ford was also growing more vegetables to provide prisoners with bigger portions of greens.
The Board said it was a great shock when 142 foreign nationals were removed from Ford by a "Tornado Team" of prison officers last May and placed in closed conditions following mounting public concern about them absconding.
The report said the Press had been unremitting in its criticism of Ford, which was very disruptive, and criticised Mr Herbert for not being more supportive of the governor and her team.
Mr Herbert, who is visiting Ford with the Prisons Minister Gerry Sutcliffe next month (March) said: "The average number of absconds over the last five years has been two a week. Over time we shall see whether the rate of absconds is slowing. If it is I welcome that.
"I want to see a continuing downward trend in the number of prisoners simply walking out of the prison. I will need to be persuaded that this isn't temporary.
"I am sure Ford would like a quiet environment and nobody asks questions, but I am sorry they are not going to get that.
"If there was a culture of openness and the MP and the Press were told what was happening it would not require the constant questioning of officials."
March 2007