Prison expansion approved
Prison expansion approved despite fears about more criminals absconding
Plans to expand a prison in the countryside north of Bristol have been approved despite fears about more criminals absconding. HMP Leyhill is located in between the M5 motorway and Charfield, and is an open prison with a history of prisoners leaving without permission.
South Gloucestershire Council has given the Ministry of Justice planning permission to build new houseblocks. The prison population is almost doubling, with these specific plans for two houseblocks housing a further 120 prisoners, among other plans which were already permitted.
The expansion was approved by councillors on the development management committee on Thursday. Council planning officers said the committee should not look into how the prison operates. They first heard how the absconding prisoners impacted people living nearby.
Cyrus Contractor, representing Cromhall Parish Council, said: “As far as the community is concerned, Leyhill is really not just an open prison, it’s actually a porous prison. There is a quantity of absconds which goes back over five years, of criminals just basically walking out and committing offences. These are criminals with some very serious crimes under their belt.
“These are murderers, attempted murderers, rapists, paedophiles, GBH and various levels of assault. Actual day-to-day pressure on our community is significant as a result of the existence of the prison. We have to conduct our lives with greater awareness and caution because of these absconds. In January a lady was assaulted in her home.”
He claimed the increase in prison population would then lead to rising numbers of prisoners absconded and committing violent attacks. He called on more safety measures at HMP Leyhill to reduce how many prisoners absconded and protect people living nearby.
He added: “If you approve this application you are in fact approving additional violence in our community. I know that sounds accusatory and a horrible, bold statement but it really is a piece of simple mathematics. There should be no absconds. The fact that we have to put up with two to three a year and assaults on people in our community is abhorrent.”
The prison houses men coming to the end of their sentences or just serving short sentences. The expansion is needed as the country’s prison population is forecast to increase over the next decade and there is a nationwide shortage of places. Two prisoners who absconded in January were “quickly arrested” and then sent to a different, secure prison, rather than back to Leyhill.
Katrina Hulse, a planning agent representing the Ministry of Justice, said: “Category D performs a vital role in the prison service helping to rehabilitate prisoners, preparing them for their re-entry into society. The MoJ is embarking on an ambitious programme of prison expansion, delivering over 20,000 additional prison places.”