Super Sized Prison Back On Agenda (From Crewe Guardian)

Super Sized Prison Back On Agenda

1:20pm Wednesday 28th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

A 'SUPER-prison' could be back on the agenda for Crewe, warns local MP Edward Timpson.

In a written ministerial statement to the House of Commons, justice minister Maria Eagle said this week: "I am pleased to announce today that we are starting a fresh search for sites on which to build new 1,500 place prisons.

"The search will be focused on London, the North West, North Wales, and West Yorkshire."

In June Mr Timpson demanded that justice secretary Jack Straw make a decision about Basford as a potential prison building site.

The minister admitted that there had been failings in consultation with communities, but would not categorically rule out the site, which Mr Timpson found on a list of potential sites that had been kept from the media for a year.

Mr Timpson said: "Now we know why Jack Straw refused to rule out Basford.

"They wanted to build more supersized prisons to bail them out of the overcrowding caused by their failed prisons policy.

"Residents in that part of my constituency have a right to know what is going on.

"I will write to Mr Straw and ask him directly. Let's hope I get a clearer answer than last time."

• Print
• Email
• Share