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LONDON: Pakistan’s teenage cricketer Mohammad Amir received a little respite after being convicted in the spot-fixing scandal as the Prison Service’s Youth Justice Board in England ordered that the bowling sensation be moved from the notorious Feltham Young Offenders Institution to the much-safer Her Majesty’s Prison Portland in Weymouth.
The decision came after Amir demonstrated “extremely good behavior,” a source told a local news channel.
The news of Amir’s relocation comes just days after it was reported in the press that Mohammad Asif, also convicted in the scandal, would be moved from the high security Wandsworth Prison in South London where he is currently imprisoned along with Salman Butt, the third player involved.
It has been reported that Amir will have access to every kind of facility at the centre in Weymouth where he can play sports, attend education classes, exercise at the gym, use internet and take part in charitable events after a month or so, including collecting money for the local charities.
A report by the Commission for Racial Equality seven years ago found "widespread racism" at the Feltham Young Offenders Institution, with Black and Asian inmates subjected to bullying and unfavourable treatment by wardens.
The prompt decision to relocate Amir has been made to avoid any such instance and a potential controversy that could harm diplomatic relations between Pakistan and England.
