After 222 years, HMP Gloucester's last prisoners leave
AFTER 222 years, the last prisoners have left HMP Gloucester.
History is being made today as the jail shuts its doors to visitors for the last time.
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END OF AN ERA: The city's jail.
Gloucester city MP Richard Graham said: "My understanding is that all prisoners have now been relocated from HMP Gloucester. This is about a month ahead of schedule and my understanding is that the focus is now on de-commissioning the prison.
"They will now focus on the removal of security and other Ministry of Justice equipment before the prison is formally closed at the end of March.
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"Some staff are already helping at other prisons, and many have just received notice of alternative jobs elsewhere or the voluntary redundancy package."
The prison, which was home to 350 inmates, was closed as part of a Ministry of Justice shake-up of the Prison Service.
Gloucester City Council leader Paul James said: "The closure wasn't supposed to be for a few weeks but it has happened very quickly."
Five other small prisons have also been shut to pave the way for a new super-prison which could hold up to 2,000 inmates.
Relatives of prisoners, who will now have to travel miles for visits, are being supported by Gloucestershire police and crime commissioner Martin Surl.
He said: "It has all come as a bit of a shock. We were not consulted on it.
"I will be working closely with the Prison Service because it is important that relatives know how prisoners are being rehabilitated elsewhere."
InfoBuzz, which supports families of inmates, has shut down its services at the prison.
Spokesman Christian Horton said: "Prisoner numbers have been reducing so we stopped our crèche and snack bar."
The race is now on to find a new use for the site, with plush hotel chain Malmaison already saying they would be interested.
A Prison Service spokesman declined to comment.
14 Comments
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by eyeopener
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:15PM
“@sticks_stones
"Rule number one: never ever talk about immigration, unless it's positive speak - to do so is akin to being a 'child murderer' ~
Nope!
Rule number one: Never let your fingers hit the TIG keyboard without checking your so called 'facts' first!
Rule number two: Never make you 'facts' up. There is always someone out there less lazy than you, who will be prepared to do the checking for you, leaving you looking ever so slightly silly.”
by GlosBound
Saturday, February 16 2013, 7:55PM
“@sticks_stones
Made what up?”
by Paul_45
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:09PM
“The foreign national prisoner population was 10,592 as at 31 December 2012, accounting for 13 per cent of the prison population (the same proportion as in recent quarters). This figure includes Immigration Removal Centres (IRC's). When looking at the population excluding IRC's, 12 per cent were foreign national prisoners.
http://tinyurl.com/6na9e9r
So a 50% figure is incorrect.
In case you're wondering how the UK compares...
World Foreign Prisoners Percentages
http://tinyurl.com/3c34ns5
70% - Switzerland
35% - Spain
26% - Germany
20% - New Zealand
19% - France
19% - Australia
13% - Ireland
13% - England & Wales
8% - Northern Ireland
5.9% - USA
5.2% - South Africa
2.8% -Scotland”
by HuckiePhil
Saturday, February 16 2013, 7:57AM
“Jan 2010: 11,546 out of 84,000.”
by sticks_stones
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:18AM
“"@ sticks_stones
To be frank I don't believe you - I think you just made that up."
Nope, I did not just make that up - but it sounds like you did.”
by GlosBound
Friday, February 15 2013, 9:37PM
“@ sticks_stones
To be frank I don't believe you - I think you just made that up.”
by sticks_stones
Friday, February 15 2013, 4:58PM
“Rule number one: never ever talk about immigration, unless it's positive speak - to do so is akin to being a 'child murderer'
On the subject of jails, a number of years ago they were sitting at 50% loaded with FOREIGN NATIONALS - work that out - close the doors, we're full up.”
by Jewbacca
Friday, February 15 2013, 2:14PM
“Well reasoned argument there, gunnersaurus, you're a credit to your school.”
by gunnersaurus1
Friday, February 15 2013, 2:02PM
“if you want to see an idiot try looking in the mirror hackingtackle end of”
by Hackingtackle
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:47PM
“I like how there's always one idiot who, no matter how unrelated the story is, manages to make comments about immigration.
"MP in Horse Rape Scandal Shocker!"
"Oh no, better send the 'darkies' back home!"”