MORE than 50 councillors are being asked to throw their weight behind the bid for a new super prison to be sited in Wrexham.
Local authorities have been lobbying for a jail in North Wales since 2007. North Wales is the only region in the UK not to have a prison.
The coalition Government is considering the case for a prison to be built in North Wales and Wrexham Council is now piling on the pressure for the facility to be located in the county borough – despite vehement opposition from the town’s MP Ian Lucas.
Now, in a report to councillors, council leader Neil Rogers, also lead for economic development and regeneration, and Cllr Hugh Jones, lead for communities, collaboration and partnerships, are recommending members to confirm their support for a prison facility to be built in North Wales and for the submission of suitable sites in Wrexham.
The report states: “There is clearly a strategic need for a prison in North Wales relating to the effective operation of the criminal justice system including issues of rehabilitation and the human rights of prisoners and, specifically, Welsh language issues.”
It estimates that a super prison would bring in the region of £17.7 million to the local economy and create about 926 jobs.