On the wider scale, the Ministry of Justice is continuing to expand the prison estate, and new prison places are coming on stream.
However, the prison population has not grown as fast as previously projected. On Friday 7 January 2011, that population stood at 82,991 with useable operational capacity at 87,936.
As a result, the Ministry of Justice feels there’s “scope to reduce overall capacity” while at the same time maintaining sufficient places to accommodate all those committed to custody by the courts.
Difficult decision to take
Ken Clarke – Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice – commented: “The decision to close any prison is a difficult one, but one that we have had to make. Closing outdated and expensive prisons is an important step in our strategy to provide a secure and modern, fit-for-purpose prison estate while improving efficiency and value for the taxpayer.”
Clarke continued: “The changes will reduce our current capacity by 849 places, and I’m confident that they can be safely managed within existing headroom while maintaining our ability to cope with any increase in population.”
The justice secretary is insistent that security remains “the highest priority”. He said: “We will ensure that this, along with efficiency and current performance levels, is maintained across the estate.”
According to Clarke, decisions on the future size of the prison estate will be driven by population demand, and prisons will only close when capacity allows.
“We will always ensure that there are sufficient places for those offenders sentenced to custody by the courts, including a margin to manage fluctuations in the prison population,” explained Clarke.
“Decisions to close future capacity will only be taken if they do not put this ability at risk.”
HMP Lancaster Castle and HMP Ashwell: what’s happening?
HMP Lancaster Castle is housed in a medieval castle and, while staff at the establishment have done an admirable job and must be commended, the building places severe limitations and restrictions on their ability to deliver the requirements of a modern prison service.
Two thirds of the accommodation at HMP Ashwell is out of use, while the estimated refurbishment costs mean that it would not be financially viable to rebuild the site to the standards required.
A range of options for staff operational at these sites are being developed, including redeployment to neighbouring establishments and voluntary exits.
HMP Morton Hall will change its role to become an Immigration Removal Centre, holding detainees on behalf of the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
The prison will continue to be managed by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), but under the terms of a service level agreement with the UKBA.
As this becomes a service paid for by UKBA but operated by NOMS, it will enable NOMS to make savings without impacting on staff.