People 'left in the dark' over prison closure

The closure of Dartmoor Prison has left staff and local residents "in the dark" over what is happening, says a local councillor.

It comes after it was announced the prison in Princetown, Devon would be temporarily closed because of “dangerously high” radon levels.

Devon County Council councillor Philip Sanders said: "It is exceptionally worrying time."

But a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "Public safety will always be this government’s priority."

More than 400 prisoners were removed from the building in December and the remaining 175 convicts will leave Dartmoor by the end of July.

Mr Sanders said residents were being left in the dark and "everyone is nervous and not sure what is going to happen".

"We can only wait and see, there is no clear information, and the cost of dealing with radon could be very significant.

"It is nothing new and I don’t think there is any evidence that the prison officers who served at Dartmoor 100 years ago were adversely affected, but the levels of radon are considered no longer safe and it’s no longer acceptable," he said.

The government said it would take further advice from specialists and keep those affected updated.

"We are continually keeping the position at Dartmoor under review and work is underway on the development of permanent mitigations,” the MoJ said.

"We are working with staff to ensure they are supported and safely placed in alternative roles."

It added that the new government would be setting out its long-term plans to address prison capacity later this year.

Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox said he was puzzled as to why the prison was being temporarily closed given the shortage of prison places.

He has written to the Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood questioning why the decision has been taken.

Sir Geoffrey said: "It makes no sense at all for this prison to be closed without the most compelling reasons and it is vital for the staff and their families that the uncertainty is removed soon."

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