The government will not reveal locations of three new bail hostels planned for Luton.
This newspaper challenged the Ministry of Justice to reveal where the hostels will be and exactly what type of criminals will be housed in them.
A private company has been contracted by the Government to provide the temporary accommodation at the secret locations.
The Conservative group has warned that it could lead to 'mini open jails' in residential areas. But the Government insists that those on trial for major crimes such as those previously convicted of arson or charged with sex offences will not be kept at the hostels.
As for revealing where they will be Justice Minister David Hanson said: "Those released to their own homes for their period of bail or home detention curfew are not made the subject of public consultation and therefore neither are these people.
"The security of the public remains paramount. Anyone who poses a threat to the public will continue to be held on remand.
"Anyone accused of sexual offences, arson and those who pose a threat to staff, other residents or the public are not housed in these properties."
Luton & Dunstable Express challenged the Ministry of Justice saying if it did not reveal where the hostels were going to be it could cause unnecessary anxiety.
But all it would say is that the contractor, ClearSprings, has a duty to consult police, enforcement agencies and local councils about where hostels will be.
Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Luton South, Nigel Huddleston, said: "The Government has failed to provide enough prison capacity so they have devised a covert plan to set up what amount to mini open jails in residential areas while avoiding any consultation with the public."
Bedfordshire probation said at present there are no bail hostels in Luton but there is a hostel where people who come out of prison are taken in.
Should you be told if a bail hostel is coming to your street. Would it worry you? Write to Luton & Dunstable Express, 28 King Street, Luton, Beds, LU1 2DP.