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Backlash to West Yorkshire mega-prison plan
Ministers were today facing a backlash after revealing that the search is on for a West Yorkshire site for a 1,500-place super-prison.
Prison reform campaigners described the move as a "disaster" for the local community, while an angry Labour MP told Justice Secretary Jack Straw to build jail on his own doorstep in Lancashire instead.
* Click here to read YEP political editor Mark Hookham's Westminster blog.
Yesterday Justice Minister Maria Eagle revealed that Government officials are searching for suitable sites in West Yorkshire to build one of five new prisons.
Each privately-run jail would have a larger capacity than the region's two biggest prisons – Leeds and Wakefield.
It appears that an abandoned plan for a jail in Garforth is not likely to be resurrected. Land next to junction 47 of the M1 had been earmarked in 2004.
Elmet Labour MP Colin Burgon and Coun Mark Dobson (Lab, Garforth & Swillington) said that plans are "well advanced" for a commercial development at the site. Mr Burgon said: "I have no fears that it will be brought back into the equation."
In April, Mr Straw announced plans for five new 1,500 place prisons in a bid to cope with the rising prison population.
Pledged
These jails are replacing the Government's abandoned plans for three 2,500-place Titan prisons.
Two sites, in Essex and London, have been earmarked. Now ministers are focusing on West Yorkshire, London, the North West and North Wales.
Ms Eagle yesterday told MPs a new prison "should be located in those areas where there is the greatest need, areas where the greater number of prisoners come from."
She admitted the process would be controversial and pledged that the search process will "be more open and transparent" than previously.
Ministry of Justice officials said that potential sites would be published next year.
Ms Eagle added: "Once a prison is established in an area, almost without exception the local communities becomes very supportive of it.
"A prison is a source of secure, well paid employment and a focus for much volunteering."
But Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "It's a disaster for the local community. It's a disaster for sites that could be used much more effectively for commercial and other developments,
"It's a disaster for the future victims of crime and it's a disaster for the families of prisoners who will have to travel right across the country to see people who are kept in your area."
Mr Burgon hit out at Mr Straw saying: "I would suggest to the Justice Secretary that the ideal place for a prison would be in East Lancashire, right on his doorstep."
Coun Andrew Carter, the deputy leader of Leeds council, said: "We went through all this and made it quite clear to the Government that in Leeds we thought we were doing our fair share.
"We would be very sceptical about anything in the Leeds area."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
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