Jack Straw has announced that a new prison could be built in Scarisbrick. After announcing that the giant “Titan” prison pencilled in for Warrington was not being built the Government is proposing smaller, 1500 person, “mini-Titan” prisons.

There are four sites shortlisted – Prescot (Liverpool), Deacon Park (Knowsley), Parkside Colliery (St Helens) and Scarisbrick (West Lancashire).

To my knowledge, there are no prisons in West Lancs district, despite the fact that it covers a large area and has large metropolitan areas bordering it. No doubt the site will look attractive to ministers, and no doubt there will be considerable local opposition.

The report at the Maghull Star is here.