City Council highlights importance of Winchester’s legal economy
The City Council has highlighted the importance of the wealth of legal firms and judiciary that contribute to Winchester’s economy in response to the Government’s plans for prisons.
Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss has announced proposals to create 5,000 modern prison places, replacing old and overcrowded establishments with new, fit-for-purpose buildings.
The programme will include a review of older buildings in the prison estate including HMP Winchester in Romsey Road, parts of which date from Victorian times.
Cllr Caroline Horrill, the Leader of Winchester City Council, said:
We understand and support the need to modernise prisons and it is right that facilities at HMP Winchester are reviewed.
However, we will be stressing to Government the importance of Winchester within the British judiciary. Significant trials have been held in Winchester through history and those in the dock have often been held on remand at HMP Winchester. Our city is blessed with many fine legal practices and we will be raising the importance of the local judiciary with Government as part of their considerations. This includes Winchester Crown Court, often considered second in importance only to the Old Bailey in London, as well as HMP Winchester which support jobs and services.
We will be urging Ministers to continue to invest in Winchester.