HMP Dartmoor could be shut for three years - union

More than 400 inmates were temporarily moved out of HMP Dartmoor July 2024 due to high levels of radon gas

The union representing prison officers has said it has been told to expect Dartmoor Prison to remain closed for three years.

Sarah Rigby, South West representative for the Prison Officers' Association (POA), said it was the latest estimate from Prison Service officials about the time needed to make the jail safe after more than 400 inmates were temporarily moved out in July 2024 due to high levels of radon gas.

Business leaders estimated the closure of the jail in Princetown, Devon, was costing the local economy millions of pounds.

A Prison Service spokesperson said it was continuing to take advice from specialists to explore how HMP Dartmoor could be "reopened as quickly as possible".

Prison Officers' Association South West representative Sarah Rigby said the union really wanted to see Dartmoor reopen

Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas - it is formed by the radioactive decay of small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils.

The main danger from high radon exposure is the increased risk of lung cancer.

Ms Rigby said: "We were originally told... it would be 18 months to two years for them to look at what work would need to be done to bring Radon to an acceptable level.

"Recently [directors from] the Ministry of Justice are starting to use figures like three years as a more realistic timescale.

"The POA really wants to see the prison re-open.

"We would much rather that money was invested into existing establishments rather than new ones being built. How feasible that will be, the longer this goes on, is difficult to say."

Tim Jones said the temporary closure was creating "a big hole" in Devon's economy

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council, said the uncertainty was putting "a big hole" in Devon's economy.

He said some of the prison's food supplies had been locally sourced and some local companies had been used for maintenance.

"The numbers are huge," he said.

"The ask for government is very clear. Either they commit the money to radon mitigation works... or they declare the the property as unfit for occupancy."

Mr Jones said he thought it was unlikely it would be possible for the prison to reopen but there were "plenty" of other options that could be explored for the site including geo-thermal energy, something agricultural or a craft centre for wood-working.

"These might be fanciful ideas at the moment, but we want to work them up so we can start generating some local income," he said.

"It's very urgent... something needs to happen."

Prison staff redeployed

Ms Rigby said there were up to 300 staff working at the prison before it closed.

"Most of [our members] have been redeployed to Exeter and Channings Wood, which gives them some certainty for the next few years," he said.

"How many of those people would want to transfer back to Dartmoor if or when it reopens is questionable."

Mr Rigby said the MoJ was paying travel expenses for staff who had been moved to other jails and this arrangement would be in place for up to three years.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "After close monitoring of the situation at HMP Dartmoor, we took the decision to temporarily close the site.

"We continue to take advice from specialists to explore how it can be reopened as quickly as possible."