Wakefield prison warden rapist has parole bid rejected

Hall was serving as a senior warden at HMP Wakefield, when he carried out many of the offences

A prison officer who raped, kidnapped and assaulted women and girls has had his parole bid rejected.

John David Hall could instead be transferred to an open prison in preparation for his eventual release.

The 53-year-old worked as a senior warden at HMP Wakefield, when he carried out many of the offences.

The court had heard that the twice-married father led a double life carrying out a terror campaign on victims between 1997 and 2004.

Off-duty, he wore his prison uniform and pretended to be a police officer, gaining the trust of women and girls and luring them into his car.

Hall, from Kirkhamgate, in Wakefield, was told he must serve a minimum prison term of 11 years and 10 months, when he was sentenced in May 2006.

A Leeds Crown Court jury found him guilty of five charges of rape, one of attempted rape, one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one of assault causing actual bodily harm between 1997 and 2001.

Hall wore his prison uniform and pretended to be a police officer to lure victims into his car

Hall, then aged 35, also pleaded guilty to three charges of kidnap, two of attempted kidnap and two sexual assaults involving five girls between 2000 and 2004.

Sentencing judge Justice John Goldring told him at the time: "You are a dangerous man. It should be plainly understood you may never be released."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said it was the fifth time Hall had a parole bid turned down since becoming eligible for release in 2018.

A parole board panel recommended that Hall now be transferred to an open prison, after he was assessed to be a "low risk of absconding."

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk would have to agree with the recommendation before a transfer to open conditions could take place.

Evidence was given at a hearing by psychologists, Hall's probation officer and a prison official supervising his case, as well as Hall himself.

John David Hall was told he must serve a minimum prison term of 11 years and 10 months when he was sentenced in May 2006

One of his victims also provided an impact statement, which the panel said "clearly covered the impact of crimes and the consequences of his offending".

A parole board summary document said: "After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the other evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public.

"However, on considering the criteria for recommending placement in open conditions, the panel recommended that Mr Hall should be progressed in this way."

'Abusive attitudes'

The report listed risk factors which could have lead to Hall reoffending, including him being "aroused by his victims' fear" at the time of offending.

He was also described to "lack some relationship skills" and had held "abusive attitudes concerning women".

However evidence was also presented of Hall's "good behaviour" while in custody.

It said: "He had engaged well and had acted as a mentor to other inmates.

"He had undertaken accredited programmes to address decision making, better ways of thinking, and sex offending."

All panel members agreed that Hall's release "could not be safe" at this stage.