PRESTON and Kirkham jails will be among the ‘resettlement prisons’ for Lancashire criminals awaiting release from later this year.

Last week, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced offenders in England and Wales will be moved to prisons near where they live before they release. So-called resettlement jails, aimed at cutting re-offending, will house come on stream from autumn 2014.

There are plans for 70 such prisons, with a trial planned the North West.