Wednesday 28 November 2007

Sell off Victorian jails built on prime land.

The Sunday Times has reported that Nick Nerbert, the conservative shadow justice secretary is expected to disclose conservative proposals to sell off victorian prisons currently residing on prime inner city land. The report suggests that £350m could be netted to help pay for modern more specialist prisons.

In his speach Nick Herbert says
"Policy Exchange's research has shown that there is huge potential for remodelling the current prison estate and selling off some of the oldest Victorian prisons in inner city, high value locations, either building on a new site or rebuilding on the same site (with a smaller footprint) a modern prison that is cheaper to maintain."

I realise that Maidstone Prison is 'listed' but this policy has, to use the new vernacular 'legs' for Maidstone. While we must wait for the details, one can not but think that this might suit Maidstone very nicely. Afterall Maidstone Prison occupies a huge site and can hardly be the best use for this prime land.

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