MP to ask Reid about prison plans

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The home secretary John Reid has said he will meet Dover MP Gwyn Prosser over plans to convert the site of a former army barracks into an open prison.

Mr Reid confirmed negotiations were under way to convert Connaught Barracks, as part of plans to increase prison spaces in England and Wales.

Mr Prosser said "powerful arguments" against plans for the site would again be put to Mr Reid.

Meanwhile the BBC has learned of plans to extend two prisons in Sussex.

The proposals are contained in a leaked memo written by Fiona Radford, governor of Ford open prison.

According to the document, a new category C jail for up to 720 prisoners could be built in the grounds of Ford open prison in West Sussex.

Zsa Roggendof, from the independent monitoring board at the prison, said any decision should not compromise security levels.

'No consultation'

The memo also contains plans for Lewes prison in East Sussex.

Ms Radford states she had been involved in "proposals that are going ahead to build a house block at Lewes".

Mr Baker is to ask the Home Office about plans for Lewes prison

The area's Lib Dem MP, Norman Baker, said he had heard from the governor at Lewes prison that there were plans to build something within its walls.

"I am concerned about that because firstly it takes away what is already very limited recreation ground and secondly there ought to be consultation with the local community and there's not been such consultation."

'Done deal'

Mr Baker said he would be asking for clarification from the Home Office on Tuesday about its plans.

The Home Office refused to comment on the proposals.

Former chief inspector of prisons, Lord Ramsbotham, said the site of the disused army barracks in Dover would be low down in his pecking order as a suitable site for an open prison.

Lord Ramsbotham, who was based at the barracks, added: "It seems to me that they've fastened on an empty barracks and said 'right let's take over an empty barracks'".

Julia Bishop, a campaigner against the plans for Connaught Barracks, said she was "shocked and horrified" at the home secretary's announcement.

She said: "Maybe it's still not a done deal but it's looking pretty bad for Dover."