Leicestershire South MP Alberto Costa2 will meet with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Prisons to discuss a possible u-turn regarding Colin Pitchfork’s approved move to an open jail3.
In May, the former Justice Secretary Michael Gove passed a parole board decision to relocate the double child-killer, now 55, from a higher security environment to an open prison – despite strong opposition from both victims’ families. In the 1980s, Pitchfork raped and murdered Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth, both 15, in the Narborough4 area – which falls in Mr Costa’s constituency. He was eventually convicted because of DNA he left at both scenes – the first time genetic evidence had ever been used to catch a criminal – and jailed for life.
The Department of Justice has never revealed where Pitchfork is being held. Or which open prison he would be, or already has been, moved to.
Read more: ‘You can say he is a well-behaved prisoner – but don’t ever forget he is a double child killer’5
Now, Mr Costa6 said he has used the earliest opportunity in the House of Commons to quiz prisons minister Sam Gyimah MP about
Speaking to the Mercury, Mr Costa7 said: “Given that this case has had quite a lot of media attention recently I wanted to take the first opportunity to raise it with the secretary of state and get assurances that the public is not at risk.
“At the end of the day, this man brutally raped and murdered two young girls who lived in my constituency, and I want assurances that the public – not only in my constituency, but everywhere – will be safe.
“I have a meeting with the prison’s minister soon – the date is yet to be arranged – but I will ask him about the procedure of reversing Michael Gove’s decision, as well as learning whether Colin Pitchfork has indeed been moved to an open prison, and which one.”
Lynda Mann’s sister Rebecca Eastwood set up a petition calling on the Justice Secretary to keep Pitchfork locked up8 for the remainder of his life. More than 20,000 people have signed the online document.
What was said in Parliament
Alberto Costa9 (South Leicestershire) (Con) said: “Colin Pitchfork was convicted of raping and murdering two young girls in the 1980s.
“Will the Minister please assure me and the public of their safety, given that Mr Pitchfork is being moved to an open prison?”
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation Sam Gyimah MP replied: “My honourable friend will be aware that the transfer of prisoners from one prison to another is based on a careful assessment of the risks involved.
“I am sure that that will have taken place in this case, but I would be happy to discuss the matter with him in more detail if he wants to do so.”
References
- ^ Comments (0) (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Alberto Costa (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Colin Pitchfork’s approved move to an open jail (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Narborough (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ ‘You can say he is a well-behaved prisoner – but don’t ever forget he is a double child killer’ (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Mr Costa (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Mr Costa (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ set up a petition calling on the Justice Secretary to keep Pitchfork locked up (www.change.org)
- ^ Alberto Costa (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)