I am writing in response to the article in the Staines Guardian last week entitled Italian food and opera for Cromwell Road killer. I wish to confirm the comments made by the local resident quoted in your paper.

My husband and I attended the open day held prior to the opening of Bronzefield Prison in June 2004. The tour was comprehensive and we were able to ask questions of a senior prison officer who escorted our group.

He was very informative and was able to allay many concerns. However, when I asked what category the prison was I was met with waffle and obfuscation.

Not daunted, and maybe more suspicious than most, I pressed on and asked about the likely inmates and types of offences they would have committed. As with the lady in your article, our group was told the prison was intended to hold women convicted of minor offences. The average term of sentence was estimated at eight months.

We were definitely told the intention was to take short-term prisoners only who would be rehabilitated and encouraged to return into the community and hopefully not go on to become hardened criminals. When I pressed further, I was told emphatically that it was not a prison for offenders serving long sentences, or lifers.

It beggars belief that Bronzefield's spokesperson insists that we would not have been told the aforementioned. Not all the people of Ashford are daft! They deserve better, they deserve the truth.

As a resident of Ashford for more than 35 years I have witnessed a steady decline in the area and the loss of many assets and amenities over the years. I hardly think the building of Bronzefield and having Rose West as a neighbour adds to the quality of life for people in the locality and it seems the decline is likely to continue (especially with more cuts to services at Ashford Hospital almost inevitable).

Finally, I say again, I feel we have the right to know who is living amongst us. A bit more honesty would be appreciated.

SUSAN GOWER Ashford