A NEW prison is to be built at Full Sutton near York, the Government revealed yesterday.

Plans for four new prisons were unveiled on Wednesday by Justice Secretary Liz Truss as the Government steps up its drive to reform the crisis-hit jail system.

Maximum security Full Sutton, as well as sites at Hindley in Wigan, Rochester in Kent and Port Talbot in South Wales have been earmarked for development as part of a pledge to create up to 10,000 modern prison places by 2020. The announcement is the latest step in a £1.3 billion revamp of the estate first launched amid concerns a number of facilities were overcrowded and run-down.

At Full Sutton, the new establishment will be built next to the existing prison which will remain open during the development. Final decisions on the new jails would be subject to planning approval, value for money and affordability said the Ministry of Justice.

As well as creating modern establishments, officials say the proposed programme will boost regional economies by creating up to 2,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing industries and new opportunities for local business.

Ms Truss said: “We cannot hope to reduce re-offending until we build prisons that are places of reform where hard work and self-improvement flourish. Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime.”