AN USK residents group is calling the decision to move sex offenders nearing the end of their sentence to Prescoed open prison "breathtaking, complacent, short-sighted and dangerous."

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Paul Goggins MP, confirmed the Home Office is to send people convicted of sexual offences to Prescoed open prison. Those who have less than a year of their sentence left to serve will be transferred to Prescoed from Usk prison to help with their resettlement process. According to the Home Office, the action is needed because the increased number of sex offenders in custody means there are not enough places to accommodate them. Paul Starling, chairman of Usk and Communities Residents Action Group, said: "In the face of overwhelming opposition from the communities surrounding Usk and Usk's town council, the government's decision is breathtaking, complacent, short-sighted and downright dangerous. "The interests of sex offenders have been put before those of law-abiding women and children. "The Home Office's own research shows that a huge proportion of sex offenders reoffend and yet the government has allowed them to walk free in our communities. "We must now call a meeting of all who oppose this and decide what to do next." In a letter to Monmouth AM David Davies, Mr Goggins said: "Prescoed is best placed to offer this facility. It is managed by the same governor responsible for HMP Usk, a prison dedicated to the treatment of sex offenders. "This means that staff will know and have worked with potential candidates for transfer and will have a good understanding of them." But Mr Davies attacked the decision saying it presents "a genuine risk" to residents. He said: "It's one thing talking about prisoners who have served the majority of a 20-year sentence and are readying themselves to be released into the community. "But who can be confident that offenders coming to Prescoed for the last 12 months of a two or three-year sentence are rehabilitated? "These people deserve to be punished - locked up inside four thick walls, not out in the community putting people at risk. Prescoed is a cushy option for them." But Mr Goggins has sought to reassure residents that the prison service is taking the transfer seriously and a full progress report will be completed after six months.