WELLINGBOROUGH Your Local
ISSUE 12 19 SEPTEMBER 2012
p 30 Protesters step up BEST-SELLING PAPER
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Controversial plans to shut Wellingborough prison with the loss of 600 jobs have been attacked as ‘wrong’ and a ‘knee-jerk’ decision in a hard-hitting Parliamentary debate
It follows protests in Wellingborough and Westminster against the shutdown and the handing over to Parliament of a 3,000-name petition demanding a re-think. In a detailed attack on the plan, local MP Peter Bone slammed the way the shock closure announcement was made, describing the process as ‘miserable, secretive and back-handed’. He also questioned Government figures that it would cost £50million to renovate Wellingborough. He was supported in the debate by Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, who also called for another look to be taken at the decision. Mr Bone called for the closure to be postponed for six months for a ‘fundamental review’ of the country’s prison system to take place and not a ‘random kneejerk closure’ of one jail. He is now looking to meet with new Justice Secretary Chris Grayling in the campaign to get the closure overturned. Speaking in the debate. the MP said: “I firmly believe that this is the wrong prison being closed for the wrong reasons at the wrong time.” Mr Bone told new Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright: “The key reason given by the Ministry of Justice for the decision to close Wellingborough prison was cost. “According to the Government, its closure would save the taxpay-
er £10million a year and a further £50million in renovation costs. “However, if Wellingborough prison is so expensive to the taxpayer, why do the Government’s own figures show that it is the third cheapest prison in the country?” He added: “Only a department dominated by lawyers could think that closing Wellingborough prison would make good economic sense. “Only lawyers could think that closing the third cheapest prison in the country on economic grounds would be right. “If there is a need to close a prison, that should be an outdated Victorian prison with a higher cost per prison place.” He also said that renovating the prison could be one of the capital infrastructure projects to help kick-start the economy. “If we had some joined-up government between the Ministry of Justice and the Treasury, the renovation of Wellingborough would be a win-win situation. “The Treasury would get a quick and relatively inexpensive infrastructure project to boost jobs and the economy; while the Ministry of Justice would get a more energy-efficient and modern prison that would last for years.” The MP also took the ministry to task over its claim fewer prison places were needed. He said: “How can the Ministry of Justice claim that the prison
population is falling when, in every year over the past decade, the department’s own figures have shown a constant increase in the prison population? “I suggest that the Ministry of Justice is as good at predicting the prison population as G4S is at hiring enough staff for the Olympics.”
The campaign against closure has also received all-party support at Wellingborough Council. Responding to Mr Bone in the debate, Jeremy Wright said: “I am satisfied that the process has been followed correctly, and that all the necessary criteria have been met.”
INDIAN CHARMER: Dancer Sanskruti Parekh was among the talented youngsters entertaining visitors to Wellingborough Homes’ latest Fun Day.
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THERE are plenty of reasons to be cheerful in today’s issue of the Extra newspaper – lots of stories of achievement and smiling success. And here at the Extra offices, we are feeling rather chuffed, too! Our sales are up 10.4 per cent – so clearly our readers like us as much as we like them! Extra Newspapers’ managing director, Stuart Parker is delighted with how rapidly the readership has grown. He said: “ It’s a big thank you from me personally to all our readers and advertisers who have helped establish Extra as the local paper. Every issue the sale of our paper has risen – we are a small company where everyone gets ‘stuck in’, so, seeing the sales figures of Extra is fantastic for us all.” Keep sending in your news, views and pictures – we are always pleased to hear from you. And a great big ‘Thank-You’ from all of us, for taking us into your homes and your community. We are thrilled to be here! Email: newsdesk@ extranewspapers.co.uk