Asif to be moved to open prison from closed

London: Disgraced Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, imprisoned at the high-security jail in Wandsworth, is likely to be moved to an open prison, a report said on Saturday.

The move would mean that Asif will have more freedom and privileges than at a closed prison where more dangerous criminals are housed. "I have only spoken to Asif a couple of times on the phone. I haven`t been able to visit him just yet, but he has been told he will be moved to an open prison and that should happen within the next five to seven days," a friend of Asif told a website. Asif was sentenced to one year prison term along with former Pakistan captain Salman Butt (30 months) and teenage pacer Mohammad Amir (6 months) for their involvement in the spot-fixing scandal during a Test match at Lord`s last year. The British prison system is divided into four categories A-D, with A being for criminals who are considered a danger to the public or national security. D category is for prisoners who are not considered a risk to society and not expected to attempt escape. They are also likely to have more privileges like being able to wander around the grounds when they wish and have free access to the internet and other leisure options, the report said. PTI