Council leaders from across North Wales have written to the House of Commons’ Welsh Affairs Committee to recommend that it supports the development of a £212 million prison for North Wales in Wrexham.
Having campaigned for the project for a number of years, North Wales’ council leaders are now working closely with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that the development of a ‘best in class’ prison in Wrexham can also deliver a much needed boost to the north Wales economy.
North Wales stands as the only region in the UK without a prison located in the local area, and the development offers a vital opportunity for improving services for North Wales’ offenders and their families, while also bringing over 1000 jobs and 100 apprenticeships as well as £30 million of inward investment into the North Wales region.
Commenting on the evidence submitted to the select committee, Cllr Dilwyn Roberts (Conwy), Chair of the North Wales Regional Leadership Board said:
“All six council leaders in North Wales remain fully committed to the building of a new prison for North Wales in Wrexham. Wrexham council has done a great job in bringing such a significant infrastructure development into the region, and while we are aware that the development has its critics, this project will significantly improve our local criminal justice services while also making a vital contribution to the region’s wider economy. We are now working closely with the Ministry of Justice and partners from across north Wales to ensure that the potential benefits of the new prison are fully realised for the region as a whole.”
Outline planning permission for the prison has already been granted, with Lend Lease having been named as the preferred contractor in June 2014. The new prison is due to open in late 2017.
