CONCERN is mounting over plans for sex offenders to be sent to an Usk prison to help their rehabilitation before their release.

The plans for Prescoed open prison were revealed in the Argus last month, and resident Alison Starling says she was "utterly horrified" by the news.

Mrs Starling, a mother of two, said: "It is totally unacceptable for the prison service to put our children at risk in this way.

"The prison says that these offenders will eventually be released back into the community anyway.

"Of course they will, but individually, and they will be dispersed and diluted across the whole country.

"This does not compare with having a colony of them living together in open conditions among an isolated, vulnerable rural community."

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I visited the prison last Friday and was quite impressed with what I saw, but I can understand the fear of those living near who have children.

"I can see what the prison is trying to do, because these prisoners are going to be let out in public in any case when they've finished their sentences.

"It's better they go through this programme of rehabilitation first." Nobody from the prison was available for comment, but a Home Office spokeswoman said: "Sex offenders have been in open prisons before to help get them back into the community, it is just a case of them using a different prison for some circumstances.

"We wouldn't release anyone into the community who is judged to be a risk, in particular, to children.

"There is no question of anybody being released prior to the authorities deeming them to be ready."

David Davies, Monmouth AM, will discuss the issue with the governor next month.

"The urgument that they do not pose a danger may be correct. But residents deserve to feel safe and there is no certainty in this matter," he said.