ANGRY leaders of Warrington Borough Council have reaffirmed their opposition to any plan for a new “super prison” on the Omega development site.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of the council and his deputy, Coun Keith Bland have refuted claims that the council is not doing enough to make clear its opposition to the prison.
This follows speculation that the government is planning one of its proposed three new American-style Titan prisons at Warrington.
Coun Marks said: “Contrary to reports in the press, no meeting has taken place between the council and the Ministry of Justice about a Titan prison. Neither have secret discussions taken place.
“All the council knows is that the idea was put to us at one of our regular meetings with the developers, alongside a number of other possibilities.
“The concept of a massive prison was first put forward by the Labour peer, Lord Carter, last December. It is the Labour government’s Ministry of Justice that is peddling the idea now, not Warrington Council.
“There is huge national opposition to building these American style prison warehouses. The prison governors’ association is against them, so is the Prison Officers’ Association and so is HM Inspector of Prisons. And so is the council!
“The French built one of these prisons in the 1980s and have never done so again. The government’s priorities are wrong. It should be concentrating on reducing crime, not spending billions on dealing with the consequences.”
Coun Bland added: “I hope the MP for Warrington North (Helen Jones) is lobbying her friends in government against this proposal. I am astonished she has not voiced her opposition before now. Surely she was told about this possibility a long while ago? The MP needs to understand that when we say we don’t want a prison, we mean it. No means no!”
Coun Marks concluded: “Omega is a great opportunity for this town. We will continue to talk to the developers about ways the council can help attract high quality firms and jobs to the site. A supersize prison next door would hardly be a great selling feature!”
Pictured right, Ian Marks (top) and Keith Bland.
Council chiefs hit out over super prison
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
