Prison protest walk-out unites parties

WARRING councillors buried their political differences to strongly oppose any suggestion of a Titan “super prison” at Warrington – but only after a walk-out by angry members of the public.
Lib Dem, Conservative and Labour councillors united to send a strong message to Government: “We don’t want a prison here.”
Two motions were passed – one pushed through by the Lib Dem-Tory alliance which controls the council, with Labour members abstaining and the other a drastically amended Labour motion which was supported by all parties.
Both called on the Government to rule out building a prison in Warrington.
Earlier, up to 300 banner-wielding people had demonstrated outside the Parr Hall, where the meeting was held to accommodate members of the public.
They listened to nearly two hours of stormy debate, in which Lib Dem and Labour groups accused each other of mishandling opposition to any plan for a Titan prison on the town’s Omega development site.
Then Brenda Bradley, spokeswoman for the residents, stepped up to a microphone and told councillors: “This is the first time I have ever been to a council meeting and I am disgusted. You are all arguing about party politics when you should all be voting against the prison.”
She then led a walk-out by about 50 members of the public amid cheers and applause from other residents.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, Cons, told a stunned council: “I understand why they have left. We are sitting here like spoilt children when we should be voting. If I could, I would leave myself.”
Coun Paul Kenny, Lab, added: “The public could leave here with a view that brings all parties into disrepute.”
Labour leader Terry O’Neill agreed to amend his group’s motion to bring it more in line with the Lib Dem-Tory motion.
Eventually, with both motions approved, the remaining audience of more than 200 people applauded and left the meeting.
Earlier, Lib Dem Coun Jo Crotty had accused the Government of failing to consult on proposals for the prison, allowing the news to “slip out” in the press.
She said the Omega site offered a vision of more than 25,000 high skilled jobs bringing prosperity to Warrington. But if the prison was built, the vision would be destroyed.
Titan prisons, she said, would be nothing more than “universities of crime” bring problems for inmates, staff and the surrounding area.
She pointed out that Warrington already had two prisons – Risley and Thorn Cross and that there were eight prisons within 20 miles of the town.
“We don’t want to become known as the ‘prison town’” she said.
Coun O’Neill accused the Lib Dem-Conservative group of failing to “kill off” the plan when they first learned of it at a private meeting with developers.
But council leader Ian Marks, Lib Dem, said he had made it clear at the meeting that the council would oppose any proposal for a prison at Omega.
Since then he had issued a public statement outlining the council’s strong opposition to a new prison anywhere in the borough.