North Wales councils back new Wrexham prison

Council leaders representing the six North Wales Councils have met with Ministry of Justice officials to discuss how to maximise local employment from the new North Wales Prison in Wrexham in both the construction and operational phases.

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, chair of the North Wales Regional Leadership Board and leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “All six North Wales council leaders are fully committed to the building of a new North Wales Prison in Wrexham.

"We believe that the new prison will create jobs across the region and improve prison services for offenders from North Wales.

"We are fully behind Wrexham Council who have done a fantastic job to bring a major employer and service provider to North Wales.

"We are aware that the proposed new prison has its critics on the grounds of its size, but as community leaders, councils are working with the Ministry of Justice to help them maximise local employment and deliver a prison that performs well in terms of reducing re-offending.

"Officers from all six councils are working with the Ministry of Justice, the Welsh Government and the National Offender Management Service to make sure we get the best possible prison set up in North Wales.

"In addition council leaders will meet regularly with Ministry of Justice officials to offer support and monitor progress in securing local employment and a well managed and successful prison that will grow to be best in class in the prison service for both cost and service outcomes.”

Councillor Neil Rogers, leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “I appreciate the support of the leaders of councils and the major public services in North Wales for the Wrexham prison.

"The new prison will be a major boost to the region’s economy and will improve services for offenders in North Wales.

"The early and continuing engagement of all the councils and major public services in the region in planning for the prison will help to ensure that we get the best possible outcomes in terms of jobs and rehabilitation of offenders.”