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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Warning over giant prisons plan | Warning over giant prisons plan |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| The governor of Europe's largest jail has warned against British government plans to build three so-called Titan prisons each holding 2,500 prisoners. | The governor of Europe's largest jail has warned against British government plans to build three so-called Titan prisons each holding 2,500 prisoners. |
| Joaquim Pueyo told BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme that he would recommend prisons with a maximum of 600 inmates. | Joaquim Pueyo told BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme that he would recommend prisons with a maximum of 600 inmates. |
| Mr Pueyo heads Fleury-Merogis prison, near Paris, which holds 3,800 people. | Mr Pueyo heads Fleury-Merogis prison, near Paris, which holds 3,800 people. |
| However, British Prisons Minister David Hanson said Fleury-Merogis was a success because it had facilities that smaller jails could not offer. | However, British Prisons Minister David Hanson said Fleury-Merogis was a success because it had facilities that smaller jails could not offer. |
| Governor advice | Governor advice |
| Senior prison officer Bernard Gaudicheau told the File on 4 programme he judged the 40-year-old prison to be a failure. | Senior prison officer Bernard Gaudicheau told the File on 4 programme he judged the 40-year-old prison to be a failure. |
| Mr Pueyo said if large prisons were given the go-ahead in the UK, prisoners should be held in separately-managed buildings holding 400 each with one to a cell. | Mr Pueyo said if large prisons were given the go-ahead in the UK, prisoners should be held in separately-managed buildings holding 400 each with one to a cell. |
| In Europe's largest prison | In Europe's largest prison |
| Mr Hanson said that the Titan prisons would consist of separate blocks. | Mr Hanson said that the Titan prisons would consist of separate blocks. |
| He added that small jails could not provide the programmes on offer at a prison such as Fleury-Merogis. | He added that small jails could not provide the programmes on offer at a prison such as Fleury-Merogis. |
| But Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust told the BBC: "The French experience of this approach supports what we already know in this country ? the bigger the prison, the harder it is to run, and the less likely it is to cut crime." | |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced plans for more prisons, including three Titan super-jails, in December. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced plans for more prisons, including three Titan super-jails, in December. |
| The following month Gordon Brown confirmed the proposals would "go ahead after consultation". | The following month Gordon Brown confirmed the proposals would "go ahead after consultation". |
| One of the so-called Titan jails, which will be larger than any prison currently used in Britain, will be in service by 2012. | One of the so-called Titan jails, which will be larger than any prison currently used in Britain, will be in service by 2012. |
| The other two are expected to be built by 2014. | The other two are expected to be built by 2014. |
| Hear the full story on BBC Radio 4: File On 4 Tuesday 18 March 2008 at 2000 GMT, repeated Sunday 23 March at 1700 GMT or online at the File on 4 website. | Hear the full story on BBC Radio 4: File On 4 Tuesday 18 March 2008 at 2000 GMT, repeated Sunday 23 March at 1700 GMT or online at the File on 4 website. |