A GWENT MP has stepped up the campaign to stop sex offenders being prepared for release at an open prison.

The move comes after child rapist Robert Neil Stokes, 35, (pictured) went on the run from Prescoed open prison, Usk, for almost 24 hours - prompting a large-scale police search and putting thousands of school pupils in Monmouthshire and Newport on alert.

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards met prison officials last night to demand an end to the controversial policy which was strongly objected to by residents.

Mr Edwards told the Argus: "The community of Usk has supported the work of prisoners in the past and appreciates most community work that has been undertaken by prisoners, but siting sex offenders in the open prison is deemed a step too far.

"Our aim is to have the policy reversed and have safeguards. I spoke to Home Office minister Paul Goggins and he asked me to see him formally in Parliament next week."

After speaking to prison officials he said: "I spoke to Wales governor Peter Morgan and area manager John May and expressed concerns for our community who are under strain and concerned.

"The prisoner was found close to the Prescoed grounds where he had apparently broken his leg and is in hospital at the moment. He will be moved back to Usk in closed conditions.

"One of the points I tried to impress upon them was that public perception was that he was of high risk and not low risk, as in this case a prisoner is convicted of indecent assault and rape of a young boy.

"They have accepted that. They will now reconsider how people are assessed in view of the public perception of risk.

"In this case he could have been released next August, but I don't think that is going to happen."

Mr Edwards said local people are pressing for the number of sex offenders in Prescoed to be greatly reduced, sex offenders only to be there in the last six months or three months of their sentence, to know what the criteria is for knowing when the rehabilitation programme has failed and that residents should be kept informed.

But the ultimate aim is still reversal of the policy of placing sex offenders in the open prison.

Mr Edwards said: "We fear that the programme is concentrating on Usk, which is a small town in a community with lots of surrounding villages.

"There is a public meeting next Monday where the governor will attend in Usk and also next Wednesday for people who are opposed to having sex offenders in Prescoed.

"We will be continuing to campaign for the policy to be reversed."

There are currently seven sex offenders placed at the 170-capacity open prison.