PLANS to build a new prison in Hindley have been unveiled today.

The Government says the project – which is subject to planning, value for money and affordability approvals – would create hundreds of modern prison places and provide a huge boost to the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries and generating opportunities for businesses.

It added that HMP Hindley, which was labelled one of the worst prisons of its kind in the country in November following a HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspection, would be 'temporarily closed' for the Bickershaw site to be redeveloped should the proposed new build be given the thumbs up.

It is expected that the entire current prison, which houses more than 600 inmates, would be flattened to make way for the new build.

Staff and prisoners would be moved to nearby prisons while the demolition and building work was carried out.

Prisons minister Sam Gyimah said: "We cannot hope to reduce reoffending 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“Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime, nor do they provide our professional and dedicated prison officers with the right tools or environment to do their job effectively.

“This significant building programme will not only help create a modern prison estate where wholescale reform can truly take root but will also provide a thriving, economic lifeline for the local community, creating hundreds of jobs for people and maximising opportunities for businesses.”

The proposal for Hindley is as part of the Government’s commitment to tackle overcrowding problems in UK prisons by building up to 10,000 modern prison places by 2020, backed by £1.3 billion to transform the estate.

Today’s announcement comes weeks after the opening of HMP Berwyn, a new modern prison in north Wales.

The construction of this new building for more than 2,000 prisoners has already contributed more than £100 million to the local economy and created around 150 jobs and apprenticeships before the doors even opened.

The Government says a programme of valuation work will now begin to help inform further decisions about the prison plan for Hindley.

Its unveiling builds on reforms to improve safety in prisons, including an additional £100 million given by the Government to bolster frontline staff by 2,500.

The Government says that a wholescale organisational reform will be supported by measures within the Prisons and Court Bill, which will set out a new framework and clear system of accountability for prisons.

This follows wide-ranging reforms set out in the Prison Safety and Reform White Paper.

HMP Hindley was opened on Gibson Street in Bickershaw in 1961.

It is currently a young offenders and adult male category C prison with several residential wings.