Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Closure of Prisons Order 2014 and comes into force on 31st January 2014.

Closure of prisons

2.  The following prisons are closed-

(a)HM Prison Blundeston, in Suffolk;

(b)HM Prison Dorchester, in Dorset;

(c)HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton, in North Yorkshire;

(d)HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading, in Berkshire; and

(e)HM Prison The Verne, in Dorset.

Special reasons in relation to the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton and HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading

3.  (1)  The Secretary of State makes provision in article 2(c) and (d) for the special reasons(2) stated in paragraphs (2) and (3) respectively.

(2) The special reasons for the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton are that the Secretary of State considers-

(a)that the size and limitations in the existing physical infrastructure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton are such that it is appropriate to close it;

(b)that the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton will not have an adverse impact of the operation of the criminal courts in North Yorkshire; and

(c)that enough prison places are available in England and Wales to ensure that the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton will not have an adverse impact on the operation of the justice system.

(3) The special reasons for the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading are that the Secretary of State considers-

(a)that the size and limitations in the existing physical infrastructure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading are such that it is appropriate to close it;

(b)that the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading will not have an adverse impact on the operation of the criminal courts in Berkshire; and

(c)that enough prison places are available in England and Wales to ensure that the closure of HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading will not have an adverse impact on the operation of the justice system.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order provides for the closure of the institutions mentioned in article 2 on the 31st January 2014.

Article 3 concerns HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton and HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading (which were, immediately before this Order came into force, the only prisons in the counties of North Yorkshire and Berkshire respectively). When providing for the closure of the only prison in the county, the Secretary of State is required by section 37(2) of the Prison Act 1952 (c. 52) to state in the Order the special reasons for doing so. The special reasons for closing HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Northallerton and HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Reading are set out in article 3(2) and 3(3) respectively.

No impact assessment has been produced in relation to this Order as no impact on business or the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.