New Wrexham Prison Governor Appointed

The Ministry of Justice has revealed the identity of the new Governor of the prison being built in Wrexham, with a possible hint to the HMP site name.

The news release is entitled “New Wrexham Governor”, perhaps pointing to a HMP Wrexham name for the new prison.

The new post is initially for ‘project director’ and eventual Governor of the new prison.

Russ Trent is currently the Governor HMP Brinsford and began his career as a prison officer at HMP Aylesbury. He has worked across a range of prisons and has held senior positions at Feltham, Winchester, Dorchester and Portland.

Before joining the Prison Service, he was a Royal Marine and he is currently Chairman of the Prison Service Sports Association.

Sarah Payne, Director of NOMS in Wales, said: “I am delighted that Russ will be taking on the role of project director and eventually Governor at the new prison in Wrexham, North Wales and am very much looking forward to welcoming him into the NOMS in Wales senior team.

“The development of the rehabilitative culture which he and his team have worked hard to achieve at Brinsford is something we are determined we will have in this prison.

“Russ will play a vital role in creating this culture which won’t be just about how we operate as a public service, but how we work with our external partners and the wider community too.”

The news that the Project Director on the North Wales Prison who will become the Governor for the publicly-run North Wales Prison when it opens from February 2017 has been appointed has been welcomed by Wrexham Council.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships & Collaboration, said: “I welcome the appointment and look forward to working closely with The North Wales Prison team in delivering benefits to the region in general and in making real progress on rehabilitating offenders and reducing re-offending.”

Russ will take up his new position in the summer.

Pic: We had a picture of Fulton from Porridge as the featured image, but the MOJ got in touch quickly to send us the picture issued elsewhere – thus is now updated. Not Russ, but from a previous article speculating on the new prison name.