Catastrophic Lease Decision for HMP Dartmoor Costs UK Taxpayers

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has faced severe criticism for its decision to sign a 10-year lease for HMP Dartmoor, a prison where high levels of radon gas were detected. The public accounts committee has estimated that this decision will cost UK taxpayers over £100 million. The lease, signed in 2022, was described as made “in a blind panic” by senior civil servants who were under pressure to secure prison spaces. HMP Dartmoor was closed in 2024 after radon levels were found to be up to ten times higher than the recommended limits, posing significant health risks.

The Guardian

Monitoring of radon levels at HMP Dartmoor began in 2010, with elevated readings first reported in 2020. However, reports indicate that radon levels exceeding safe limits were detected as early as 2007. The prison, which housed many sex offenders, was ultimately closed after years of attempts to mitigate the radon issue. The closure necessitated the relocation of 682 inmates, raising questions about the MoJ's delayed response to the health risks posed by the gas.

The Guardian

Under the terms of the lease, the MoJ is obligated to pay approximately £4 million annually for an unusable facility, which includes rent, business rates, and security costs. Additionally, the government is expected to incur around £68 million in costs for necessary fabric improvements to the Dartmoor site over the lease period. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the public accounts committee, criticized the MoJ's handling of the situation, stating that the decision to lease the prison was driven by a misguided urgency rather than sound judgment.

The Guardian

Jo Farrar, the MoJ’s permanent secretary, defended the lease decision, asserting that the prison system was at risk of running out of capacity, making Dartmoor a necessary option at the time. She emphasized that the decision was made based on the information available in March 2022, which did not include the full extent of the radon issue. A spokesperson for the MoJ reiterated that the government inherited a crisis in the prison system, which necessitated immediate action to prevent a collapse in law and order.

The Guardian

Mark Fairhurst, national chair of the Prison Officers Association, expressed outrage over the lack of accountability for the decision-makers involved, stating that the situation was “abhorrent” and highlighted the risks posed to both staff and inmates. Furthermore, over 500 former inmates and prison officers are pursuing legal claims against the government, alleging that their health was jeopardized due to the prolonged exposure to radon gas.

The Guardian

An investigation into the radon levels at HMP Dartmoor is currently being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, which began in 2023. The findings of this investigation may further illuminate the extent of the failures in managing the health risks associated with the prison.

The Guardian

The decision to lease HMP Dartmoor has resulted in significant financial and health repercussions, raising critical questions about the MoJ's decision-making processes and the accountability of senior officials. As investigations continue, the implications of this decision will likely resonate within the broader context of the UK’s prison system.

The Guardian