This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7872135.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Decision expected on new prison New prison for north Wales site
(about 4 hours later)
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that an announcement will be made later on the site of a new prison in Wales. A new prison for Wales will be located in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, the Ministry of Justice has decided.
The shortlist, announced last August, involved four locations: Caernarfon, Cwmbran, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham. Prisons Minister David Hanson called it an "important announcement for the people of Wales".
The new jail is designed to address an estimated shortfall of 1,300 prison places in Wales. The shortlist, announced last August, involved three other locations: Cwmbran, Merthyr Tydfil and Wrexham.
The new jail, to be built on the site of the old Ferodo factory, is designed to address an estimated shortfall of 1,300 prison places in Wales.
"A new prison would help bring considerable economic benefits to this part of Wales as well as providing much needed additional places for us," said Mr Hanson.
Although the site has been selected, the timetable for building the new jail has not yet been determined.
There has been a strong campaign for the prison to be located in north Wales, to make access easier for families and solicitors.There has been a strong campaign for the prison to be located in north Wales, to make access easier for families and solicitors.
Prisons minister David Hanson is due to announce a decision later. Around 800 adults from the region are estimated at being inmates in jails over in England
The shortlisted location for Caernarfon is at the old Ferodo factory, most recently the site of the former Friction Dynamex factory, where there was a long-running dispute. The chosen site has more recently been associated with the former Friction Dynamex company, where there was a long-running dispute.
Local MPs and Gwynedd Council have added their support. Local MPs and Gwynedd Council had added their support, although there was some local opposition from people worried it would affect tourism.
Gwynedd council leader Councillor Dyfed Edwards called it "excellent news" for the county "at this difficult time for our local economy".
He added: "A prison on this site will provide a huge economic boost for Gwynedd in the medium term and will create hundreds of secure well-paid jobs for local people and an estimated £7m annual boost for the Gwynedd economy.
"It will also consolidate and enhance Caernarfon's status as a regional legal and justice centre."
The site owners Bluefield Caernarfon said they recognised "the unique nature of the site and the economic importance of this proposal to the town of the Caernarfon and the surrounding area".
The ministry has said there is a need for a new jail after figures showed there was an overall shortage of prison places in north Wales of around 800, and in the south of 500.The ministry has said there is a need for a new jail after figures showed there was an overall shortage of prison places in north Wales of around 800, and in the south of 500.
The North Wales Criminal Justice Board has previously claimed a prison could create 1,000 jobs and bring £17m investment into the area.The North Wales Criminal Justice Board has previously claimed a prison could create 1,000 jobs and bring £17m investment into the area.