Plans Announced For Massive New Prison Near Market Harborough

Plans have been announced for a massive new prison on the outskirts of Market Harborough.

It would house around 1,700 male prisoners and be built on land next to HMP Gartree.

The new jail, which would create over 600 jobs, would be a Category B training prison, housing long-term and high security prisoners.

An MoJ spokesperson told Hfm: “The new prison proposal is part of the MoJ’s New Prison Programme.

“The prison would be the greenest prison built so far and follow a new design that helps aid rehabilitation of offenders, helping make our communities safer.

“The new prison would also create over 600 permanent jobs in the local area once operational and hundreds of local jobs during construction.

“We want to hear the views of the local community before we consider submitting a planning application.”

The new jail would have 7 separate prison blocks, with each block holding around 240 prisoners.

Residents living near HMP Gartree have seen surveys being carried out on land in recent weeks.

Harborough District Councillor Paul Bremner represents the Gartree area:

 

A public consultation on the proposal is being launched today.

Mark Fairhurst, is National Chair of the Prison Officers’ Association:

 

The Ministry of Justice is also considering separate options to expand the existing HMP Gartree, although plans are still at a very early stage and no decisions have been made as to whether to proceed with them.

Find out more about the plans for the new prison and take part in the public consultation HERE