article_snippet.sent: Following the scandal, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling publicly announced that the Government was 'tearing up the system as the system exists at the moment' and introduced Justice Secretary Chris Grayling absconder policy.
article_snippet.sent: A spokesman said: 'The fundamental principles of the policy are not unlawful.
article_snippet.sent: Our position remains that temporary release can be an important part of rehabilitating offenders but not at the cost of public protection.
article_snippet.sent: But the Prisoners' Advice Service, a charity offering free legal advice and support to adult prisoners, described the policy as a 'knee jerk reaction' by Mr Grayling.
article_snippet.sent: The charity said in a statement: 'The Secretary of State's contention that he is entitled to ignore and contradict he own policy guidance demonstrates either he ignorance or flagrant disregard for basic legal principles of consistency and transparency in public decision making. '
article_snippet.sent: the policy was introduced as a knee jerk reaction to negative press reports without adequate consideration for either existing policies, or the policy impact on the prisoners whose progression to open conditions was abruptly prevented.'