Plans for new Wellingborough prison to be announced

Plans for a new prison in Wellingborough are due to be announced by the Justice Secretary Liz Truss.

HMP Wellingborough closed in 2012 because it was not fit for purpose.

In a speech today Liz Truss is due to announce the construction of a modern prison on the site.

It is part of the Government's £1.3 billion building programme to replace the most dilapidated jails with up to date facilities.

Liz Truss is also expected to announce an extra 2,500 prison officers to tackle the growing problem of violence and drugs in jails.

In her speech she will say: "These extra officers and new safety measures will help us crack down on the toxic cocktail of drugs, drones and mobile phones that are flooding our prisons, imperilling the safety of staff and offenders and thwarting reform."