(2) what his Department's procedures are for informing local residents when sites in their locality are being considered as potential locations for new prisons; what steps his Department takes to consult local communities on its plans for the location of new prisons; and if he will make a statement.
As I announced on 27 April 2009, Official Report, columns 569-80, we will not be proceeding with the 2,500 place Titan prisons, but we will be building 1,500 place prisons instead.
The site at Scarisbrick was one of a number of sites brought to the attention of the National Offender Management Service as part of the site search exercise for Titan prisons to hold 2,500 prisoners. It was assessed, but not considered suitable for development as a Titan. There are, therefore, no plans for a prison at Scarisbrick.
For any new prison, before the submission of planning application for the site of a new prison, officials hold a public exhibition setting out the proposals.