MP against plans for prisoner reform centre in Consett

North West Durham MP Richard Holden is challenging plans for Consett’s Highfield House on Parliament Street, Consett, to be used to house high-risk offenders.

Opinion in the community is divided after an application from the Ministry of Justice was submitted to Durham County Council.

Justice Minister Kit Malthouse and North West Durham MP Richard Holden Picture: Richard Holden

Read more: People divided over turning Consett building into prisoner reform centre

Plans for a 16-bedroom building were sent to the local authority at the end of March, which would see Highfield House become part of the Ministry’s ‘prisoner reform’ program.

Under the scheme, the former probation contact centre will also have associated support spaces, including communal areas, laundry, kitchen, and storage facilities.

Mr Holden has expressed his dismay to Justice Minister Kit Malthouse at the idea.

He said he had "made clear" at their meeting in Parliament, that the Highfield House site on Parliament Street in Consett is "wholly unsuitable for accommodation for high and very high-risk offenders released on licence".

Mr Holden said there were concerns Highfield House is in the centre of a densely populated residential area and is only yards from numerous education facilities, including Delta North School and Derwentside College.

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Furthermore, he said, the site is also within a stone’s throw of important youth community facilities including the 1St Consett Scout Group HQ and 1309 Consett Air Cadets and Durham Army Cadets.

At the culmination of Richard Holden MP and the Minister’s meeting, the Minister did make clear that no final decision had yet been made. It is very much Richard Holden’s intention that Highfield House be ruled out of consideration for use as such a facility.

Commenting, Richard Holden MP, said: “Everyone wants those who have served their sentences to be able to rebuild their lives and have a second chance. However, putting high and very-high risk offenders right in the heart of a small town near so many important local facilities would be totally inappropriate.”

“I have made representations on behalf of local people and hope that Ministers will listen to these very clear concerns and provide an alternative facility elsewhere that is nearer to the specialist support that these people require.”

Mr Holden said the minister had made it clear a final decision had yet to be made. 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is seeking to increase the capacity of Approved Premises nationally to support the prison reform program and respond to the parole board policy which is leading to an increased dependence on approved premises.

The Ministry has advised that they need more than 230 beds to manage the predicted rise of the next four-year period.

If approved, the proposed facility will be operated by the Probation Service and is the first approved premises within County Durham jurisdiction.

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