A CONVICTED killer dated a student and went to a nightclub during a controversial overnight prison release scheme.
Adam Briggs, 23, was three years into a nine-year sentence for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Carolyn Lemm when he was allowed out of jail He had been recommended for an overnight pass as part of a scheme to rehabilitate offenders serving time at Kirklevington Prison, in Yarm, near Stockton.
During his release, Briggs met Teesside University student Chrissy Foster, 21, at Yarm train station.
The pair have since enjoyed dates in Middlesbrough and Briggs’ home city of Sheffield.
Her father, Chris, said: “We’re not very happy about it, obviously. She’s gullible, naive. She’d been told he did not do it and believed it.
“Everyone has the chance to rehabilitate, but not so soon after helping to kill someone.”
Briggs was jailed in 2006 after being convicted of manslaughter for his role in planning the killing of Miss Lemm.
The Rotherham teenager was shot by her jilted boyfriend, Lee Smith, 20, who then killed himself. Briggs travelled with them and helped Smith to get the shotgun and saw the barrel off.
Miss Lemm’s father, Timothy, said: “I’ve seen pictures of him on the internet smiling and having a good time, and it’s heartbreaking.”
Briggs is believed to have been moved to the secure Durham Prison after skipping a counselling session to be with Miss Foster.
Her family now believe their relationship has ended.
A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “Our first priority is to protect the public, and rehabilitating offenders is a vital part of that. That approach has helped achieve a 20 per cent fall in the frequency of adult re-offending between 2000 and 2007.
“Resettlement overnight release has been operating effectively for a number of years with robust eligibility criteria and rigorous risk assessment.
“Suitable prisoners are released for specific reasons towards the end of their sentences with measures in place to monitor them, and recall them if necessary.
“Reparative volunteer work, training, education, and maintaining family contact all contribute to resettlement and cutting crime.”
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