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Paedophiles free to walk streets Paedophiles free to walk streets
(about 7 hours later)
A five-month undercover investigation by the BBC's Panorama programme reveals a paedophile killer was among offenders free to walk the streets unsupervised. Ex-prisoners staying in bail hostels are being inadequately supervised, an undercover investigation by the BBC's Panorama programme has revealed.
Frank Parker was released to a Bristol bail hostel after serving 39 years in jail for sexually assaulting and murdering a 10-year-old girl. The probe found one man, a convicted paedophile and child-killer, befriended children while at a Bristol hostel.
Panorama's secret filming shows Parker befriending children. Home Secretary John Reid has responded by ordering an urgent review of hostels filmed for the documentary.
Home Secretary John Reid responded by ordering an urgent review of whether the hostel should be investigated. He is expected to admit in a speech later that some parts of the probation service are underperforming.
The documentary also shows Parker speaking of taking a photo of a semi-naked teenager who he invited up to his hostel room. Setting out plans to improve the service, he will say too much money is being spent on report-writing and not enough on practical help. He is also expected to propose opening the service to private competition.
Most hostels are now very full of serious offenders and I think most hostel staff would probably say that's not a good idea Martin WargeantProbation Boards Association What Probation Service said Get in touch with Panorama
Martin Wargeant, chief executive of the Probation Boards Association and a former probation hostel warden, told BBC News the service did a difficult job, with high concentrations of serious offenders in hostels making it hard for staff to provide good levels of supervision.
"Most hostels are now very full of serious offenders and I think most hostel staff would probably say that's not a good idea," he said.
Panorama's investigation focuses on two hostels in Bristol, one of which was home to paedophile Frank Parker, released after serving 39 years in jail for sexually assaulting and murdering a 10-year-old girl.
Secret filming shows Parker befriending children and speaking of taking a photo of a semi-naked teenager who he invited up to his hostel room.
Police tipped offPolice tipped off
During the filming, Panorama called the police twice anonymously to report that Parker was associating with children. During filming, Panorama called police twice anonymously to report that Parker was associating with children.
Parker, 61, is not only monitored by the National Probation Service, which runs bail hostels in England and Wales, but also comes under a level of monitoring called Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa).Parker, 61, is not only monitored by the National Probation Service, which runs bail hostels in England and Wales, but also comes under a level of monitoring called Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa).
The police did not pass the details of the calls onto the Probation Service.The police did not pass the details of the calls onto the Probation Service.
When Panorama called 999 a third time and told police staff from the programme had been watching Parker and were concerned about his behaviour, officers rushed to the address given by reporters.When Panorama called 999 a third time and told police staff from the programme had been watching Parker and were concerned about his behaviour, officers rushed to the address given by reporters.
Since the filming Parker has been recalled to prison.Since the filming Parker has been recalled to prison.
The National Probation Service says this action was not taken because of what Panorama filmed him doing but because of fears he would abscond after the programme was broadcast. The National Probation Service says this action taken not because of what Panorama filmed him doing but because of fears he would abscond after the programme was broadcast.
Paedophile Kevin Rogers in a Bristol shopping centrePaedophile Kevin Rogers in a Bristol shopping centre
A second paedophile, Kevin Rogers, who lived at the same hostel as Parker until July - Brigstocke Road - was also filmed standing outside public toilets at a Bristol shopping centre and secretly taking pictures nearby. A second paedophile, Kevin Rogers, who lived at the same hostel as Parker until July - Brigstocke Road - was filmed standing outside public toilets at a Bristol shopping centre and secretly taking pictures nearby.
He is a high risk predatory paedophile convicted of sexually abusing five children and has admitted to abusing others.He is a high risk predatory paedophile convicted of sexually abusing five children and has admitted to abusing others.
Loitering at swimming pool
Rogers was sentenced to four years in jail but released early to the hostel and was also supposed to be living under one of the strictest surveillance regimes in England.Rogers was sentenced to four years in jail but released early to the hostel and was also supposed to be living under one of the strictest surveillance regimes in England.
Last summer he moved out of the hostel and into a flat but on 18 July was recalled to prison after he was caught hanging around children at a swimming pool.Last summer he moved out of the hostel and into a flat but on 18 July was recalled to prison after he was caught hanging around children at a swimming pool.
Panorama also went undercover at a second bail hostel in Bristol, called Ashley House, which, like Brigstocke Road, had a case of an offender killing a member of the public last year. Panorama also went undercover at a second bail hostel in Bristol - Ashley House - which, like Brigstocke Road, had a case of an offender killing a member of the public last year.
Ashley House predominantly homes people who have committed drug-related crimes. But staff are not allowed to search them for any drugs. Ashley House predominantly homes people who have committed drug-related crimes. But staff are not allowed to search them for drugs.
Daniel Gill was filmed shopliftingDaniel Gill was filmed shoplifting
One offender, Daniel Gill, had been sent to Ashley House rather than jail in order to overcome his drug addictions.One offender, Daniel Gill, had been sent to Ashley House rather than jail in order to overcome his drug addictions.
But he was filmed shoplifting and apparently pimping in order to raise money to buy drugs.But he was filmed shoplifting and apparently pimping in order to raise money to buy drugs.
After filming he was kicked out of the hostel because he did not pay his rent.After filming he was kicked out of the hostel because he did not pay his rent.
Since then he has been arrested for burglary and theft and is now in custody.Since then he has been arrested for burglary and theft and is now in custody.
A senior bail worker was secretly recorded saying: "We can keep an eye on them until they walk to the end of the path. Once they turn left or right we haven't got a clue what they are doing."A senior bail worker was secretly recorded saying: "We can keep an eye on them until they walk to the end of the path. Once they turn left or right we haven't got a clue what they are doing."
Mr Reid said he had asked Chief Inspector of Probation Andrew Bridges to review whether the management and operation of the premises mentioned in the programme should be investigated. Mr Reid said he had asked chief inspector of probation Andrew Bridges to review whether the management and operation of the premises mentioned in the programme should be investigated.
:: Exposed: the Bail Hostel Scandal is on BBC1 at 9pm on Wednesday. But shadow home affairs minister Edward Garnier said: "There is no doubt that thesupervision of post-custody offenders in the community and of serious offendersreleased on parole has been patchy, to say the least, with terrible consequencesin a few cases."
There are 2,000 offenders living in 104 hostels in England and Wales on court orders and on licence from prison. Exposed: The Bail Hostel Scandal will be broadcast on Wednesday at 2100 on BBC One and bbc.co.uk/panorama.
Panorama examined the truth behind the government's claims that once out in the community criminals are supervised and monitored. If you are affected by any of the issues in this Panorama film you can call the BBC Action Helpline on 08000 934934 for free advice. Lines will open from 2200 on Wednesday. All calls are free and confidential.
It found that, as British prisons reach capacity, bail hostels are compelled to take in more high-risk offenders.
  • Exposed: The Bail Hostel Scandal will be broadcast on Wednesday 8 November at 2100 on bbc.co.uk/panorama and BBC One.
    • If you are affected by any of the issues in this Panorama film you can call the BBC Action Helpline for free advice. The number to call is 08000 934 934 and lines will open from 2200 on November 8 after the programme is broadcast. They will be open for seven days. Lines may be busy but available from 0730 to 0000. All calls are free and confidential.
    Send your questions about the film and reporter Paul Kenyon will post his answers on the site. Get a number for free and confidential help if you have been affected by this film. Read what the probation service said Back to top