Meeting at the North Wales Regional Partnership Board, leaders of the six North Wales councils; Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham have agreed to campaign hard for a new 1500 bed prison to serve North Wales and parts of the North West of England.
The North Wales authorities have evidenced their support by nominating several sites across the region for consideration by the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS).
Councillor Aled Roberts, Chairman of the North Wales Regional Board said:
“A new prison located in North Wales would be incredibly positive for all of our communities which under the current system have seen around 800 prisoners moved outside of North Wales. As well as meeting local need, a new prison would also provide our communities with the opportunity of new, long term employment.”
“We expect the National Offender Management Service to shortlist at least one site from North Wales. At this point the six authorities will launch a united campaign.”
“The six Council Leaders supported the original decision to locate a smaller prison in Caernarfon, and were disappointed when this project was stopped because of the investment in public services and jobs it represented. However, we will now work closely with the Chief Constable of the North Wales Police, Business Leaders from the North Wales Economic Forum, the Courts Service, NOMS Wales and Judges to achieve this investment.”
Mark Polin, The Chief Constable of the North Wales Police said in response;
“The North Wales local authorities and the North Wales Economic Forum have asked me to join their campaign to secure a prison for North Wales and I am delighted to do so. North Wales has many good sites to offer and needs a prison located in the region to meet local needs. North Wales is the only region of substance in the country not to have a prison located in its area. It is time to invest in North Wales.”
