6 prison closures plus a further 3 to be partially closed

[Mecky 10]

With the police cuts due to happen and now this, I really fear for society. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20969898

[EASTWOOD141 10]

With the police cuts due to happen and now this, I really fear for society. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20969898

 

Everybody is feeling the cuts, people losing their jobs, firms closing, shops closing, it's back to the Thatcher days, why don't this shower of (can't swear) have their wages cut and the city bankers(should be spelt with a W ) get this lot out because it's going to get a lot worse, because Toff Cameron doesn't give a toss just like Thatcher, they are the same breed.

[buddysbuddy 12]

Everybody is feeling the cuts, people losing their jobs, firms closing, shops closing, it's back to the Thatcher days, why don't this shower of (can't swear) have their wages cut and the city bankers(should be spelt with a W ) get this lot out because it's going to get a lot worse, because Toff Cameron doesn't give a toss just like Thatcher, they are the same breed.

 

and it does not seem too long ago that there was concern because the existing prisons were over populated!! if they are going to build new facilities to replace the ones they are closing can I make a couple of suggestions, there are several uninhabited islands around our coast that could be used especially for the long term and dangerous prisoners. lets not put gyms and other liesure facilities in these places but optional keep fit instructors. remember these people have commited a crime so there should be an element of punishment in the system. make prison unappealing and remember the old saying " if you do the crime you should do the time"

[andygardener 10]

They are building a big new one to replace them though.

[Uptowngirl 10]

With the police cuts due to happen and now this, I really fear for society. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20969898

 

Heaven forbid that anything should be modernised. Another well researched Mecky thread.

 

http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/press-releases/moj/2500-more-prison-spacesd

 

2500 more prison spaces

Thursday, 29 March 2012

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HMP Thameside, the first of two new prisons opening this year, will start operating from tomorrow (30 March).

Combined with the opening of HMP Oakwood in April, this will add around 2,500 spaces to the prison estate in England and Wales.

 

The Serco-run Thameside, a Category B local prison, will become fully operational from autumn, providing 900 places for prisoners in the South East. Located next to HMP Belmarsh in Woolwich, London, it will take prisoners from courts currently served by HMP Brixton and other prisons in the London region.

 

HMP Oakwood, previously referred to as ‘Featherstone 2’, is due to open on 24 April. Based in Wolverhampton, the G4S run prison will be located next to the existing Featherstone and Brinsford prisons. It will be one of the largest prisons in England and Wales, providing places for up to 1,605 Category C male prisoners in the Midlands.

 

Use of innovative technology, including biometric key systems and in-cell technology at both sites, will offer a more efficient regime and save on running costs over the long-term.

 

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:

 

'These two new prisons will improve the quality of the prison estate, providing modern facilities at reduced cost to the taxpayer.

 

'We will always provide enough places for those sent to prison by the courts. Our prisons are there to punish and reform offenders so that they are less likely to return to prison.'

 

In March 2013, by which point both prisons will be fully operational, the total operational capacity of the prison estate will stand at more than 91,000 places.

[tara 10]

Yes I was reading this article earlier. I hope it is not going to be a case of what Mr Khan says that after these are closed that its only a vague possibility of this Super Prison being built.

Can you imagine if we got to the stage where there was nowhere to send Prisoners after trial.

Every day we are seeing more and more serious crimes committed. I should imagine we need more Places not less.

It stated the Super Prison would have 2,000 places and the ones that are closing will have lost 2,600 places. All those job losses too.

[andygardener 10]

It stated the Super Prison would have 2,000 places and the ones that are closing will have lost 2,600 places. All those job losses too.

 

As per uptowngirls post, 2,500 new places have been opened up this year without the new superprison.

 

The Victorian prisons are well past their use by date, cost a fortune to maintain and the more that are replaced the cheaper each prisoners cost is.

[tara 10]

Im just going on what i read on the BBC New page.

The only statement about new blocks was this.

 

In addition to the super prison being considered, Mr Grayling unveiled plans for four new mini-prisons known as houseblocks.

 

Those would be built at existing prisons at Parc in south Wales, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, the Mount in Hertfordshire, and Thameside in London and, in total, would be able to hold up to 1,260.

 

These havent been built yet.

 

---------- Post added 10-01-2013 at 19:00 ----------

 

So some new ones have been opened already and some extra Blocks to be built.

A bit misleading then that BBC article.

Wonder why Joe Simpson of the Prison officers association isnt too pleased .

[andygardener 10]

So some new ones have been opened already and some extra Blocks to be built.

A bit misleading then that BBC article.

Wonder why Joe Simpson of the Prison officers association isnt too pleased .

 

Because the two new prisons that allow for these old victorian jails to be closed, HMP Thamside is run by Serco and HMP Oakwood by G4S and he represents public sector prison officers not private ones.

 

His comments aren't about prison numbers, but jobs for the boys.

[iansheff 88]

Because the two new prisons that allow for these old victorian jails to be closed, HMP Thamside is run by Serco and HMP Oakwood by G4S and he represents public sector prison officers not private ones.

 

His comments aren't about prison numbers, but jobs for the boys.

 

Why do you say jobs for the boys, as the union leader he is looking after his members, 207 jobs will go by April at Shrewsbury prison. The Tories have a hatred of anything public, they would rather have private companies where they can make money from them.

[andygardener 10]

Why do you say jobs for the boys, as the union leader he is looking after his members, 207 jobs will go by April at Shrewsbury prison. The Tories have a hatred of anything public, they would rather have private companies where they can make money from them.

 

The bit in bold is why I say jobs for the boys, because that's what it is.

 

Not saying it's good or bad, just pointing out a tangible fact.

[Swan_Vesta 11]

Has anyone wondered why the necessity for prison places has gone down?

 

It's not a reduction in crime that's a fact. Could it be that the judiciary are being directed to dispense more community orders to alleviate the strain on the prison estate but transferring that burden on to the probation service which are also being demonised by the government?

 

Has anyone else asked themselves why these new prison contracts are being given to firms who have historically performed poorly in the delivery of government contacts?

 

I think that you'll also find that the POA represent private and public sector prison staff alike, it's just that the union is opposed to privatisation for obvious reasons.