A CAMPAIGN group which helped fight off plans for a Titan prison at Warrington four years ago will be re-formed if the town faces a similar threat.
This pledge has been given by the former chairman of WRAPP – Warrington Residents Against Prison Proposals – Cllr Keith Gleave (pictured)
The senior Liberal Democrat councillor, from Whittle Hall, says he is very disappointed at the government’s proposals to revisit Titan super prisons.
He said he will be keeping a close eye on the situation – and is ready to reform WRAPP should it proved necessary.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced that he is looking at the possibility of building a “super-jail” for 2000 offenders in London, North Wales or the North West of England.
As a result, fears have spread throughout the town that the giant Omega development site might again be considered.
Cllr Gleave said: “Four years ago the previous Labour government decided that Omega was the correct place for one of these prisons. As soon as built it would have been extended to contain a bail hostel and many other facilities. In my opinion this would have developed into a ‘super Belmarsh’.
“My fellow Lib Dem councillors and I brought this to public attention and hosted a public meeting. In excess of 600 residents attended voicing their dismay at the proposals.
“A campaign was launched called WRAPP (Warrington Residents against Prison Proposals) which I chaired.
“The outcome of the campaign was a petition containing thousands of names delivered to Downing Street and a campaign heard in parliament. Our campaign was stated as one of the reasons why government policy was changed and no prison was built.
“So it dismays me that the spectre has returned. I have received numerous e-mails and questions from residents and have mailed the relevant ministers and MP to find out more.
“I have had a meeting with the head of Environment and Regeneration at the council. Nobody wants a prison development here to blight Omega and the employment it will produce.
“I will be keeping a close eye on the situation and WRAPP will re-form if required to fight any new proposal.”
3 Comments
A senior councillor, whatever that means, will be keeping his eye; we should be OK then.
Not much else to do but keep an eye on what is just a rumour, exaggerated, if not crreated, by Labour seeking to gain political capital by scaremongering. Perhaps senior members of the Labour junta should have kept an eye on real things like bins – and avoided Helen Jones making a fool of herself by calling for a non-existent charge to be scrapped.
Another non-story about Omega – give it a rest! “Very disappointed” about his own Government’s plans? But not a word about their wholesale sell out to the Tories? Nick – like your style! Funny!