Criticism over prison transfer of blinding attacker

Calls are growing for a review of a decision to move Shane Jenkin, a convicted criminal, to an open prison. Jenkin was convicted for a brutal crime in 2011, where he blinded his ex-partner, Tina Nash, while holding her hostage for 12 hours. Andrew George, a Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, expressed his concerns. He called the move "totally unacceptable" and plans to contact Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood about it. Jenkin, 45, was sentenced to life in prison in 2012, with a minimum term of six years. The Ministry of Justice stated that "robust risk assessments" were conducted before Jenkin’s transfer to an open prison in March. In this type of prison, inmates can leave temporarily for work or family reasons. Jenkin is known for his violent actions, including strangling Nash and causing severe injuries. Tina Nash, now 44, shared her fears about Jenkin's new prison arrangement, stating it has significantly impacted her life. Andrew George highlighted the seriousness of the situation and expressed sympathy for Nash, noting that she lives in constant fear with little knowledge of Jenkin's whereabouts. The Ministry of Justice acknowledged the severity of Jenkin’s crimes and assured that they would return any inmate to a closed prison if they violate rules.