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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Titan prisons plans 'abandoned' | Titan prisons plans 'abandoned' |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| The government is set to abandon plans for three 2,500-place Titan prisons, the BBC understands. | The government is set to abandon plans for three 2,500-place Titan prisons, the BBC understands. |
| Instead, Justice Secretary Jack Straw is expected to announce plans for five 1,500-place jails, with two set to go ahead immediately. | Instead, Justice Secretary Jack Straw is expected to announce plans for five 1,500-place jails, with two set to go ahead immediately. |
| Sources say the decision has nothing to do with the Budget or making savings. | Sources say the decision has nothing to do with the Budget or making savings. |
| A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The justice secretary will make a statement on this issue shortly and we cannot comment further on speculation." | A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The justice secretary will make a statement on this issue shortly and we cannot comment further on speculation." |
| The spokesman added that the Ministry of Justice had consulted widely and listened carefully to all views. | The spokesman added that the Ministry of Justice had consulted widely and listened carefully to all views. |
| BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said the government's plans had yet to be finalised, but Mr Straw would reveal there would be no Titan prisons or prison ships. | BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said the government's plans had yet to be finalised, but Mr Straw would reveal there would be no Titan prisons or prison ships. |
| Mr Straw first announced plans for the three Titan prisons in December 2007. | |
| He told MPs they would "fulfil our commitment to provide a modernised prison system that protects the public from the most serious offenders". | |
| The five prisons planned as an alternative would be among the biggest in England and Wales. | |
| HMP Wandsworth, which on average holds 1,461 male prisoners, is currently the largest prison in those countries. |