Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has carried out a socio-economic impact assessment on its proposals for building new prisons in Port Talbot, Yorkshire, Rochester and Hindley.

The new prison developments will be purpose built to hold male prisoners at Category C, and provide facilities designed to support rehabilitation and resettlement back into the community.

The Ministry of Justice has had a number of discussions with the relevant MPs and Councils in developing its plans for the new and redeveloped prison sites. The Government welcomes feedback on the development of its plans for the prison estate and is undertaking public engagement events in the locations announced on 22 March 2017. Opportunities for local residents, businesses and stakeholders to provide additional feedback are also available through the formal local planning application process. We will work with Parliamentary colleagues in the development of these plans.

We will work closely with Local Authorities; NHS trusts; and police forces to ensure services such as Health, Education, Social Services and Accommodation are involved in planning for the new prisons right from the start.

We have informed the Prison Officers Association of our intentions to apply for planning permission at the four locations and will continue to involve and work closely with them.

As well as creating a modern estate that’s designed with the right conditions for reform, these new prisons will also act as a boost to local economies – creating thousands of jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries as well as opportunities for local businesses.