Menu
16/02/2007
Home Secretary to announce new prisons
The Home Secretary John Reid is to announce plans for two new prisons, providing an extra 1,300 spaces.
The prisons, which will reportedly cost more than £160m, will be located near Ashworth high security mental hospital in Merseyside and next to Belmarsh prison in Woolwich, south east London.
Mr Reid was criticised last month for his requests to jail only serious offenders, as prisons were at “bursting point”.
More than 80,000 prisoners fill the cells throughout England and Wales, while more inmates are held in police stations and court cells in a bid to control the overcrowding.
The Home Secretary is expected to say: “We are working flat out to deliver additional capacity within the prison system. In July last year I announced plans for an extra 8,000 places to be delivered by 2012. The process starts now.
“We already own two potential sites for new prisons and I can announce today that one of them is here at Maghull, where we already have planning permission to provide up to 600 places by 2010.”
The prison next to Belmarsh still requires planning permission, however.
“In total, our building programme now amounts to about 10,000 new places over the next five years. In 2007 alone, I am planning to deliver about 2,500 new places, including about 1,500 by July, with new places at 13 different prisons,” Mr Reid said.
(JM)
The prisons, which will reportedly cost more than £160m, will be located near Ashworth high security mental hospital in Merseyside and next to Belmarsh prison in Woolwich, south east London.
Mr Reid was criticised last month for his requests to jail only serious offenders, as prisons were at “bursting point”.
More than 80,000 prisoners fill the cells throughout England and Wales, while more inmates are held in police stations and court cells in a bid to control the overcrowding.
The Home Secretary is expected to say: “We are working flat out to deliver additional capacity within the prison system. In July last year I announced plans for an extra 8,000 places to be delivered by 2012. The process starts now.
“We already own two potential sites for new prisons and I can announce today that one of them is here at Maghull, where we already have planning permission to provide up to 600 places by 2010.”
The prison next to Belmarsh still requires planning permission, however.
“In total, our building programme now amounts to about 10,000 new places over the next five years. In 2007 alone, I am planning to deliver about 2,500 new places, including about 1,500 by July, with new places at 13 different prisons,” Mr Reid said.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2008
Future of 'Titan Jails' In Doubt
The Justice Secretary Jack Straw has expressed doubts over whether plans to build huge new so-called "Titan" jails in England and Wales - expected to house up to 2,500 inmates each - will definitely get the go ahead from Government. "We haven't got planning permission for these places.
Future of 'Titan Jails' In Doubt
The Justice Secretary Jack Straw has expressed doubts over whether plans to build huge new so-called "Titan" jails in England and Wales - expected to house up to 2,500 inmates each - will definitely get the go ahead from Government. "We haven't got planning permission for these places.
09 October 2006
Reid announces plans to ease prisons crisis
Home Secretary John Reid has announced plans to make up to 500 places available in police cells in order to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons in England and Wales. Mr Reid also told the Commons that "maximum flexibility" would be provided for transfers to open jails.
Reid announces plans to ease prisons crisis
Home Secretary John Reid has announced plans to make up to 500 places available in police cells in order to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons in England and Wales. Mr Reid also told the Commons that "maximum flexibility" would be provided for transfers to open jails.
09 November 2015
Nine New Prisons To Be Built
Chancellor George Osborne and Justice Secretary Michael Gove have announced a major new prison reform programme for the UK. The plans involve the construction of nine new prisons.
Nine New Prisons To Be Built
Chancellor George Osborne and Justice Secretary Michael Gove have announced a major new prison reform programme for the UK. The plans involve the construction of nine new prisons.
25 October 2013
MoJ Announce Closure Of Two Female Prisons
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the closure of two women's open prisons in Yorkshire and Kent. Announcing the closures the MoJ said that provision for the displaced inmates would be made by refurbishing Eastwood Park and Foston Hall prisons and modifying buildings at Drake Hall.
MoJ Announce Closure Of Two Female Prisons
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the closure of two women's open prisons in Yorkshire and Kent. Announcing the closures the MoJ said that provision for the displaced inmates would be made by refurbishing Eastwood Park and Foston Hall prisons and modifying buildings at Drake Hall.
13 March 2015
Prisons To Get New X-Ray Drug Scanners
The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is believed to have agreed the purchase of a new generation drug scanner for English prisons. The decision follows a report from the Centre for Social Justice that said the new X-ray scanners were a "game changer" in US prisons, adding that the devices could "revolutionise" drug searches in the UK facilities.
Prisons To Get New X-Ray Drug Scanners
The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is believed to have agreed the purchase of a new generation drug scanner for English prisons. The decision follows a report from the Centre for Social Justice that said the new X-ray scanners were a "game changer" in US prisons, adding that the devices could "revolutionise" drug searches in the UK facilities.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
