Temporary cells approved to tackle prison numbers

Temporary buildings designed to tackle the spread of Covid-19 are still being used at the jail near Yarm

A prison battling to accommodate a rising number of inmates has been allowed to construct "rapid temporary cells" and keep units built in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Justice applied for planning permission to build six new two-story "modular buildings" at HMP Kirklevington Grange, near Yarm in Teesside.

Stockton Council has approved the new cells which will create an extra 152 places.

The Category D male open prison will also keep using three buildings which were initially meant to provide temporary accommodation during the pandemic

They were to be used for about 12 weeks as a quick solution to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but 850 of the units are still in use across the country.

Harry Greenhalgh, from the ministry's agent Cushman & Wakefield, said "significant permanent" accommodation will be "delivered over the coming years" and temporary cells will "help mitigate population pressures", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Population pressures'

Earlier this month, the government activated emergency measures across the north east of England to ease prison overcrowding.

"There is an imperative need to provide new prison places across the country," Mr Greenhalgh added.

"Rapid deployment cells are proposed to support short-term prison population pressures."

Alongside the cells, Stockton Council have approved the building of two plant rooms, a generator area, a switch room and other works, with conditions.

In July, the authority gave a “certificate of lawfulness” to Holme House Prison in Stockton for 20 rapid deployment cells and eight “ancillary units” as part of a £4bn national scheme to build, expand and refurbish jails.