A PRISONER turned down the chance of being released two months early because he did not want to be sent to live in Blackburn.

Michael Hunter today blasted probation officers after ending up in a town "with nothing to offer" despite his protest - and said the situation could lead to him committing more crime.

Mr Hunter, 32, was released from an open prison in Cleveland last week after serving six months of a 12 month sentence for criminal damage. He smashed up an Italian restaurant in the Lake District and caused more than £17,000 damage following an argument with his boss.

But he said he asked the probation service to relocate him to London on his release and was told he would have to stay in custody while it was sorted out.

He said: "I have left Blackburn many times because I feel it has nothing to offer me and when I was told I was coming back here I refused.

"They said I could be relocated but it would take two months and I opted to stay in custody for that time because I didn't want to come here.

"But with 12 days to go, the probation service said it was no longer possible and here I am." Mr Hunter is now living in Union House, a bed and breakfast hostel in St Peter's Street, Blackburn.

"There has also been a problem with getting benefits and I have not had any money since I got out.

"I feel totally ignored and I think people should know about the lack of support being offered to prisoners when they are released.

"They're just not listening to what I want. I want to be relocated and have some money to help get started which can be taken back off me when I'm on my feet. I don't think that's too much to ask.

"I really feel like I'm going to reoffend I'm so annoyed."

Senior probation officer Elaine Shinks, who is in charge of resettlement, said she would be seeing Mr Hunter next week.

Mrs Shinks said that Mr Hunter applied to be released from prison early in January under the Government's home detention curfew scheme, but withdrew the application before it had been considered because he was given a Blackburn address.

"He refused to come to Blackburn and asked us to relocate him to London, which was not possible, but we know he is unhappy and are doing our best to help.

"I understand that he didn't want to come to Blackburn but sometimes it is difficult to find housing for offenders. Some of the offences Mr Hunter has committed have a level of violence and criminal damage and it puts a lot of people off.

"We were able to offer him accommodation in Blackburn and he agreed to go.

"As far as money is concerned some times there are considerable delays in getting benefits through when people are released from prison and it is very frustrating but we are checking on that."

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