Shropshire to get new adult prison

A second adult prison is due to be created in Shropshire after officials revealed plans to convert the county's young offenders' institution.

HMP Stoke Heath YOI, near Market Drayton will shortly become a Category C prison meaning it will house older adults, who are classed as not suitable for open prison, but who are unlikely to try and escape, as well as the 18 to 21 year-old inmates it already accommodates.

Under the plans revealed by prison chiefs it is hoped some offenders will be able to help out in local businesses or carry out community projects on a daily basis as part of helping them back into society.

These prisoners are assessed as a low risk to the community and checks will be made with various agencies before they are released on temporary license.

Stoke Heath currently has young offenders working in hospices, charity shops, gardening, reparation work and involvement with the Prince's Trust.

The proposal has been put to members of Wem Town Council who welcomed the scheme and were confident they could find opportunities for offenders to carry out work in their area.

Councillor Peggy Carson said: "I think this is a really good thing."

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said: "Stoke Heath will still hold a number of young offenders as well as Category C males.

"These are offenders who cannot be trusted in an open prison, but are unlikely to try and escape."

The spokeswoman added the changes wouldn't have any impact on jobs at the institution.

A letter to Wem Town Council from Annette Sharp, prison officer from Stoke Heath YOI, said: "We are hoping that, towards the end of this year, we may have a small percentage of adults who would be available to help out in local businesses or carry out community projects on a daily basis.

"To offer an offender regular work in the community would not only increase their motivation to change, but helps them to gain experience and maybe employment when they are released fully from custody."

By Tom Johannsen