- Justice Secretary unveils plans for new modern prison in Port
Talbot;
- New build to create hundreds of local jobs and turbo-boost
regional economy;
- Builds on the Government’s commitment to create up to 10,000
modern places, aimed at reducing overcrowding and creating the
right conditions for reform.
Prisons Minister has today unveiled plans for the
building of a new prison in South Wales – creating hundreds of
modern prison places and replacing old and overcrowded
establishments with new, fit for purpose buildings.
Port Talbot has been earmarked for a new development as part of
the Government’s commitment to build up to 10,000 modern prison
places by 2020, backed by £1.3bn to transform the estate.
As well as creating a modern establishments fit for the
twenty-first century, the proposed new build will also act as a
boost to the Welsh economy – creating hundreds of jobs in the
construction and manufacturing industries, and generating
countless opportunities for thriving community businesses.
Final decisions on the new prison will be subject to planning
approvals, as well as value for money and affordability.
Prisons Minister said:
We cannot hope to reduce reoffending until we build prisons
that are places of reform where hard-work and self-improvement
flourish.
Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions,
will not help offenders turn their back on crime – nor do they
provide our professional and dedicated prison officers with the
right tools or environment to do their job effectively.
This significant building programme will not only help create a
modern prison estate where wholescale reform can truly take
root, but will also provide a thriving, economic lifeline for
the local community – creating hundreds of jobs for local
people and maximising opportunities for businesses.
Today’s announcement comes weeks after the opening of HMP Berwyn
– the new, modern prison in north Wales which will hold over two
thousand prisoners. The construction of this new prison has
already contributed over £100m to the local economy and created
around 150 jobs and apprenticeships before doors have even
opened.
Secretary of State for Wales said:
I am delighted that Port Talbot has been selected as a
preferred location for one of the four newest additions to the
UK’s prisons estate.
Berwyn prison has already had a positive impact on the regional
economy of North Wales. A new South Wales prison will bring its
own economic opportunities - including new jobs and contracts
for local suppliers, and will significantly accelerate the
government’s aim of replacing old, uneconomic prisons with
modern, more cost-effective facilities.
I am pleased that Wales is leading the way in providing
facilities designed with rehabilitation in mind as well as the
traditional security which the public rightly expects.
In creating a modern prison estate, old and inefficient prisons
will be closed and replaced by the new accommodation. A
programme of valuation work will now begin to help inform further
decisions about the estate. Announcements on prison closures will
be made later in the year.
Today’s announcement builds on ambitious reforms to improve
safety in prisons, including an additional £100m to bolster
frontline staff by 2,500.
This wholescale, organisational reform will be supported by
measures within the Prisons and Court Bill, which will set out a
new framework and clear system of accountability for prisons,
building on the wide-ranging reforms set out in the Prison Safety
and Reform White Paper.
Notes to Editor:
- We will be applying for outline planning permission for new
prisons in Yorkshire, the North West, Kent and South Wales.
