A NORTH-EAST community already reeling from jobs cuts has suffered a fresh blow with the announcement that a secure training centre is to close with the loss of 150 posts.

The Youth Justice Board said today (Thursday, October 23) it was withdrawing cash for the 58 places available for under-18s at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC), at Medomsley, near Consett – because fewer people are being given custodial sentences.

North West Durham MP Pat Glass said: “This is a bitter blow to the town of Consett, coming as it does on top of the threat to 104 jobs at UK Snacks, the former Phileas Fogg factory.

“The loss of one job in a town like Consett is to be mourned, but these are full-time, well-paid, secure jobs and their loss is doubly felt.”

She added: “Hassockfield is currently run by Serco, a private company, and therefore the Government are not obliged to find alternative jobs for any of the staff employed at Hassockfield.

“But whoever the employer is most of these people live in and around Consett and I want the Government to provide the same access to alternative jobs that they would if they ran the centre themselves.”

Mrs Glass said Justice Minister Andrew Selous had told her Hassockfield was being closed in April 2015 because far fewer young people are being sentenced to custodial sentences and there is no longer a need for such a provision.

She said: “If that is true then that is a good thing, but I know that STCs provide for the younger and more vulnerable young people receiving custodial sentences.

“My concern is that that they still exist, but are simply being sent to youth offending centres that are bigger and less costly and where the educational and care element of provision is less of a feature.

“And that this is about saving money not turning round the lives of massively challenged and challenging young people.”

Serco’s contract director at Hassockfield, Steve Hewer said: “Serco is very proud of our record at Hassockfield STC and of the tremendous work that our staff have achieved there with young offenders.

“The HMIP report published in September judged the overall ability of Hassockfield as good with outstanding features and highlighted the many innovative strategies we use to ensure that the care and wellbeing of the young residents is of a very high standard.

“While we are naturally disappointed at the YJB’s decision to withdraw from the centre, we understand the reasons behind it.

“Hassockfield is one of the smaller centres in the UK and currently only 28 of its 58 places are being used.”

He added: “For many years we have enjoyed a good relationship with the local community, many of whom work at Hassockfield.

“We will be working with our 150 employees over the coming months to support them with their future employment options at this difficult time.”