How much does it cost to keep an old prison empty?

The Ministry of Justice spent nearly £140,000 on water, gas, electricity and other utility bills for the closed Holloway prison site, between August 2016 and February 2017, we can reveal.

The information came in a Freedom of Information request we submitted to the Ministry of Justice in February.

Holloway prison was closed by the government in July 2016. Between its closure and February this year, the government has spent:

• £22,500 on gas;
• £66,000 on electricity;
• £23,500 on water and;
• £25,500 on waste and other utility costs.

The Ministry refused to reveal how much it has spent on site security. Disclosure of the information, it claims, 'would, or would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the MoJ and its suppliers'.

We are aware of news reports revealing security costs at former prison sites and will be urging the Ministry to release information about Holloway.