Prison expansion approved despite concerns

Plans to expand an open prison have been approved, despite concerns about criminals absconding.

South Gloucestershire Council has given the Ministry of Justice planning permission to build new housing blocks at HMP Leyhill, near Charfield.

The new blocks would allow the prison to house another 120 inmates and currently has capacity for about 500, with an increase to roughly 800 being considered.

Some people living nearby fear more prisoners could lead to more cases of absconding, after recent cases.

"As far as the community is concerned, Leyhill is really not just an open prison, it's actually a porous prison," said Cyrus Contractor, who represented Cromhall Parish Council at the development management committee meeting on Thursday, where the plans were approved.

"Actual day-to-day pressure on our community is significant as a result of the existence of the prison," he added.

Contractor also called for more safety measures at HMP Leyhill, to reduce how many prisoners abscond and protect people living nearby.

Council planning officers said the committee should not look into how the prison operates.

HMP Leyhill houses men coming to the end of their sentences or serving short sentences.

A review was launched earlier this year after one prisoner who absconded in January handed himself in and two others, including a man convicted of murder, were "quickly arrested" and then sent to a different, secure prison.

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."

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