TITAN PRISONS

Early day motion 1049, tabled 10 March 2009 by David Howarth (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 71 members.

That this House notes that the Government's proposals for Titan-style prisons have been widely condemned by those in the prison sector, including the Chief Inspector of Prisons, the Prison Governors' Association, the Prison Officers' Association and the Criminal Justice Alliance; further notes that the Prison Reform Trust cites overwhelming evidence against the likely effectiveness of very large prisons, including higher re-offending rates and greater risks to the safety of both inmates and prison staff; further notes that the Government has admitted that increases in capacity do not offer a sustainable solution to the problem of overcrowding in prisons; further notes that the estimated cost of Titan prisons is escalating, with the cost now estimated to between 1.7 billion and 2.3 billion; and calls for an immediate end to the plan for Titan prisons and a commitment to building smaller, fit-for-purpose facilities, funded in part by the sale of what are often Victorian facilities in city centre locations.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 41, Conservative 16, Labour 13, Plaid Cymru 1.