Labour Suggests Streamlining Process to Construct Additional Prisons
Labour has announced plans to bypass the normal planning process to construct two new prisons and provide the necessary 14,000 additional prison places.
According to their website, a Labour government would designate prisons as being of ‘national importance’ for public safety reasons, allowing ministers to make approval decisions rather than local authorities.
At present, only certain facilities such as military bases, intelligence agencies, nuclear power stations, and select ports are exempt from the planning process due to their national importance.
Shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry defended the policy on Times Radio, stating that the government has failed to deliver on their promise to build 20,000 new prison places. Labour intends to fulfill this commitment by identifying suitable sites and providing the necessary funding.
Thornberry emphasized that the decision-making authority would rest with ministers, although they would consult with local councils on issues like traffic and public safety. Local communities would have a say in the process, but the final decision would be made by the government.
The current overcrowding crisis in prisons, with over 7,500 more inmates than capacity in England and Wales, has led to controversial measures such as early releases and delays in court proceedings.
The government’s approach to handling prison overcrowding has faced criticism, with concerns raised about the release of high-risk inmates to free up space.
Labour is determined to address the prison overcrowding issue by building new facilities and making tough decisions to ensure public safety and effective rehabilitation of offenders.
It is important to address the challenges faced by the prison system and prioritize the safety and well-being of both inmates and the public.
