MP Calls For Community Involvement In Prison Naming

Calls are being made for the people of Wrexham to be involved in the naming of the super prison that is set to be built on the industrial estate.

Permission to build the £250million development on the former Fire stone site was granted by councillors in January, however at present there has been no indication as to what the name of Wrexham’s super prison will be.

One concern that has been raised since planning permission was granted, is the potential image that the prison may give the town.

In the initial planning report – viewed here on the Council, Abenbury Community Council detailed their concerns with the proposals, including the name of the site.

The report notes that ‘should the committee choose to ignore the strongly held views of the local people then the Council REQUIRE the Committee to set such conditions to address these concerns and to ensure the Community is involved and consulted on the details of the elements where we have expressed our concerns’.

One such condition listed in the report is: “We do not want the Prison, if given the go ahead, named after the local area.”

Now Wrexham MP, Ian Lucas has said that ‘the Wrexham community should be involved in the naming of a proposed new prison’ and has welcomed an indication from the Ministry of Justice that the prison would not be likely to be named after the town.

Mr Lucas had written to the Ministry of Justice raising concerns about the impact the naming of the prison could have on the local economy.

In a reply to Mr Lucas, Prison Minister Jeremy Wright states: “The name of the town, village or area in which the new prison is located is generally avoided as most local people object to this.”

The Minister adds that, in many cases, the local community are asked to come up with a proposed name.

Mr Lucas said: “Concerns have been raised locally about the impact that the naming of the proposed new prison may have.

“I raised these with the Ministry of Justice, who indicated that any name would avoid a direct link with the area the prison would be situated – so it is unlikely the prison will be called HMP Wrexham.

“Ministers also tell me that no further decision will be made on naming until they have decided who will operate the prison. I have been pushing the Ministry of Justice to say whether the prison will be publicly or privately run, and I will continue to call for Ministers to make up their minds.

“Once they do, I believe it is vital that the local community is involved in any decision about the prison’s name.”

What do you think the prison should be called? You can take part in the discussion on our forums here…