A PARLIAMENTARY group has been formed to oppose the closure of the historic Dartmoor Prison, led by local MP Geoffrey Cox.

The group, formed last week by West Devon and Torridge MP Mr Cox, includes MPs whose constituents would be affected by the closure of the Category C men’s prison in Princetown.

Five years ago, ministers decided to give a ten-year notice on the lease for the building, built in 1809 and owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

The formation of the group followed a visit to the prison last Wednesday (May 2) by Mr Cox who made strong representations to the prisons minister MP Rory Stewart that the prison should remain open.

During his visit, Mr Cox met with the governor, staff, officers and representatives of the Prison Officers’ Association.

Mr Cox was escorted by the deputy governor Pete Lewis on an inspection of the estate, which was recently rated as ‘reasonably good’ by HM chief inspector of prisons.

Mr Cox said: ‘My visit to Dartmoor Prison has reaffirmed my conviction that the retention and continuity of the prison is important to the local community and to the prison service.

‘The prison has continued to improve in recent years under robust leadership and I was impressed by the dedication of officers and staff to the well-being of the prisoners.

‘As I said in 2013, it is our duty to do something positive and useful with the prison for the future. Having again witnessed first-hand the facilities and services provided at Dartmoor, against the backdrop of the pressures facing our prisons up and down the country, I believe that the most sensible option is to keep the prison open.

‘The Duchy of Cornwall is keen to see the prison remain in being. There will have to be complex discussions with the Duchy about how there could be new arrangements to keep it open and renovate the buildings.

‘In my meeting with the prisons minister, I emphasised not only how important the prison is to the local economy on and around Dartmoor but how well run the prison regime is.

‘I am pleased that the minister recognised that there is a powerful case for keeping the prison open and, although he pointed out that the buildings are in need of radical renovation, I am confident that if we can address this important question, there is a real possibility of maintaining Dartmoor prison for many years to come.

‘I think there is a genuine window of opportunity for both the Duchy and Ministry of Justice to reach an agreement and to that end I will continue my discussions with the Ministry to help find a solution that will benefit the local community.’