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November 09, 2009
UK: Christian charity plans to open private prison in Cornwall
Christian charity plans to open private prison in Cornwall
Monday, November 09, 2009, 11:27
CORNWALL could get a brand new prison run by the county's Christian community, according to ambitious plans revealed today.
The newly-formed Carpenters House project wants to build the site as soon as 2012 as it aims to provide the county with what would be its only prison.
Those behind the plans claim they can cut re-offending rates and help the Government provide much-needed space for prisoners.
The Ministry of Justice says it needs another 12,000 spaces by 2014, while many of the 700 or so offenders from the region are locked up miles away from home, often in areas difficult for family members to reach.
Former Caradon District Councillor Mike Critchley, the project's chairman, said the idea had already won the support of Cornish Christian groups.
He said: "It is an ambitious project but the need is massive.
"We've talked to a lot of people and our consultant has been the Governor of five prisons.
"What we're talking about is not a Bible college.
"It's all about giving guys the ability to respect themselves.
"Once they've got that it gets you to respect other people."
The project is being spearheaded by the Kainos Community, a faith-based charity that has operated its Challenge to Change programme in prisons for 12 years.
They say they have slashed re-offending rates among inmates they have worked with to 13 per cent – way below the national average of 60 per cent within two years of release.
Mr Critchley added: "Prisoners are not beaten over the head with a bible.
"The organisation has got a fantastic track record.
"As a councillor, re-offending was one of the things I took an interest in because the rates are just alarming.
"There is a huge and urgent need for this – that's the bottom line."
Bosses are now trying to raise cash to provide the Government with a feasibility study, then formally lodge its proposals by next year.
A HM Prison Service spokesman confirmed the National Offender Management Service, which runs prisons in England and Wales for the Ministry of Justice, was aware of the Carpenters House project, but said it had "no current plans" to build faith-specific prisons.
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Christian-charity-plans-open-private-prison-Cornwall/article-1494736-detail/article.html
Posted by lois at November 9, 2009 05:17 PM