Menu
09/11/2015
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.
In a statement from the Treasury, the reforms will ensure Britain's prison system is "fit for purpose in the 21st Century", while the new prisons will allow the UK Government to close old Victorian prisons and sell the sites for housing.
As a result, this would pave the way for more than 3,000 new homes to be constructed thereby increasing house building in urban areas. It is understood the Victorian prison site at Reading will be the first to be sold. The other sites being sold have not been revealed.
Five of the new prisons are expected to be open before the end of this parliament, with some 10,000 inmates moving to the new institutions in the hope of saving around £80m a year.
The Treasury also confirmed that the government will complete the new prison being built at Wrexham, as well as expand existing prisons in Stocken and Rye Hill.
Chancellor George Osborne said: "This spending review is about reform as much as it is about making savings. One important step will be to modernise the prison estate. So many of our jails are relics from Victorian times on prime real estate in our inner cities.
"So we are going to reform the infrastructure of our prison system, building new institutions which are modern, suitable and rehabilitative. And we will close old, outdated prisons in city centres, and sell the sites to build thousands of much-needed new homes.
"This will save money, reform an outdated public service and create opportunity by boosting construction jobs and offering more people homes to buy."
Justice Secretary Michael Gove added: "This investment will mean we can replace ageing and ineffective Victorian prisons with new facilities fit for the modern world. We will be able to design out the dark corners which too often facilitate violence and drug-taking.
"And we will be able to build a prison estate which allows prisoners to be rehabilitated, so they turn away from crime. It is only through better rehabilitation that we will reduce reoffending, cut crime and make our streets safer."
Currently, half of criminals re-offend within one year of being released, and almost half of all prisoners go into prison without any qualifications.
(JP)
The plans involve the construction of nine new prisons.
In a statement from the Treasury, the reforms will ensure Britain's prison system is "fit for purpose in the 21st Century", while the new prisons will allow the UK Government to close old Victorian prisons and sell the sites for housing.
As a result, this would pave the way for more than 3,000 new homes to be constructed thereby increasing house building in urban areas. It is understood the Victorian prison site at Reading will be the first to be sold. The other sites being sold have not been revealed.
Five of the new prisons are expected to be open before the end of this parliament, with some 10,000 inmates moving to the new institutions in the hope of saving around £80m a year.
The Treasury also confirmed that the government will complete the new prison being built at Wrexham, as well as expand existing prisons in Stocken and Rye Hill.
Chancellor George Osborne said: "This spending review is about reform as much as it is about making savings. One important step will be to modernise the prison estate. So many of our jails are relics from Victorian times on prime real estate in our inner cities.
"So we are going to reform the infrastructure of our prison system, building new institutions which are modern, suitable and rehabilitative. And we will close old, outdated prisons in city centres, and sell the sites to build thousands of much-needed new homes.
"This will save money, reform an outdated public service and create opportunity by boosting construction jobs and offering more people homes to buy."
Justice Secretary Michael Gove added: "This investment will mean we can replace ageing and ineffective Victorian prisons with new facilities fit for the modern world. We will be able to design out the dark corners which too often facilitate violence and drug-taking.
"And we will be able to build a prison estate which allows prisoners to be rehabilitated, so they turn away from crime. It is only through better rehabilitation that we will reduce reoffending, cut crime and make our streets safer."
Currently, half of criminals re-offend within one year of being released, and almost half of all prisoners go into prison without any qualifications.
(JP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 February 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.
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.
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.
20 October 2005
Overcrowded prisons linked to higher suicide rate
The most overcrowded prisons have the highest numbers of suicides, new research has revealed. According to a study by the Howard League for Penal Reform, over half (56%) of suicides in England and Wales since the start of 2004 have occurred in the 35 most overcrowded jails.
Overcrowded prisons linked to higher suicide rate
The most overcrowded prisons have the highest numbers of suicides, new research has revealed. According to a study by the Howard League for Penal Reform, over half (56%) of suicides in England and Wales since the start of 2004 have occurred in the 35 most overcrowded jails.
04 September 2013
Plans Announced For New Super-Prison
As plans for a new super-prison in north Wales are unveiled it has been announced that four prisons in England will close. Prisons in Reading, Dorchester, Northallerton and Blundeston will close in March next year with the lose of 1,400 prison place in England and Wales.
Plans Announced For New Super-Prison
As plans for a new super-prison in north Wales are unveiled it has been announced that four prisons in England will close. Prisons in Reading, Dorchester, Northallerton and Blundeston will close in March next year with the lose of 1,400 prison place in England and Wales.
17 June 2013
Report Urges New 'Super-Jails'
A new report has called for the over 30 older prisons to be replaced with 12 new "super-jails". Author of the report, ex-ministry of justice deputy director Kevin Lockyer has said that the new jails, each with the capacity for thousands of inmates, could save £600m a year in operational costs alone.
Report Urges New 'Super-Jails'
A new report has called for the over 30 older prisons to be replaced with 12 new "super-jails". Author of the report, ex-ministry of justice deputy director Kevin Lockyer has said that the new jails, each with the capacity for thousands of inmates, could save £600m a year in operational costs alone.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
