Hindley 'rejects prison move idea'

STEVE BOGGAN

Myra Hindley would not want to be moved to an open prison, a friend said last night. Reacting to reports that the Moors murderer could be moved to an open prison, the friend said Hindley would be concerned for her personal safety and worried about press intrusion.

The Home Secretary, Michael Howard, is considering the future of the 54-year-old killer who, with her lover Ian Brady, claimed the lives of four children in the 1960s.

She is currently being held in Durham jail and is expected to spend the rest of her life in prison following a 1990 ruling by the then Home Secretary, Lord Waddington.

In a statement, the Prison Service confirmed Hindley's case was being considered afresh but a spokesman refused to confirm what suggestions had been made or whether Mr Howard would act them.

But the Times said the parole board had recommended transfer to one of three jails where Hindley would be allowed liberties unparalleled in other prisons. There are three open jails for women - Askham Grange, near York, Drake Hall in Staffordshire and East Sutton Park in Kent.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "Myra Hindley's case was recently reviewed by the parole board which has provided advice to the Home Secretary. The Home Secretary will consider that advice...

"In considering advice from the Parole Board in a mandatory life sentence case the Home Secretary will have regard to whether the prisoner has satisfied the requirements of retribution, deterrence and the need to protect the safety of the public and maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system.

"It is not the Home Secretary's practice to describe the advice given to him by the parole board before he has reached his decision."

A source close to Ms Hindley said she was not aware yesterday of the decision of the board and added that it was not what she wanted in any event.