News Release

27th April 2009

PRISON PLAN FOR CURBOROUGH, LICHFIELD

Michael Fabricant is questioning Jack Straw the Justice Secretary on plans to build 5 prisons each to house 1500 adult male inmates in locations which might include Curborough near Lichfield. Fabricant says: "Curborough has been identified by the Ministry of Justice as a possible site for one of these prisons. Having only just seen off the proposed eco-town, this will be a hammer blow for many of my constituents living in Curborough, Fradley and Boley Park.

"Two prison sites have already been listed in Dagenham and Chelmsford. One of the remaining three prisons might be based at Curborough and I am seeking urgent clarification from Jack Straw as to exactly when local consultations will begin as to the suitability of this Lichfield site, and as to how long the consultation will last and when a decision will be made.

"In his statement to the House of Commons today which I attended, Jack Straw said 'Once a prison is established in an area, almost without exception the local community becomes very supportive of it. A prison is a source of secure, well paid employment and a focus for much volunteering. The research evidence which shows that prisons have no adverse effect on house prices or crime rates is then borne out by experience'. I am not so sure.

"Whether this will be the case with a prison if it were built at Curborough remains to be seen. I shall be taking local soundings about these proposals. Given the continual pressure from housing developers on the Curborough/Fradley airfield site, locals may find a small and modern 1500 prisoner secure institution preferable to a housing development. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It's early days and I have no fixed view on this. The Ministry of Justice needs to be more open as to the precise location and physical size of the prison so that locals can take a considered view. I am asking Jack Straw to either rule out Curborough or to publish without delay his detailed plans so local people can make an informed judgement. This will help inform me as to what stance to take in the best interests of my constituents.