ACTIVISTS blockaded the expansion of a so-called mega prison at Full Sutton, east Yorkshire, today, in protest against the increasing numbers of demonstrators being imprisoned amid debates on the Public Order Bill.

In the early hours, protesters set up tripods to block entrances to Full Sutton after the government awarded construction firm Kier £400 million to build 1,400 new prison spaces. ​​​​​​

The prison is the third of six sites that are being expanded as part of a new prisons programme.

The government plan aims to create 20,000 new prison spaces in the next five years — but protesters have said the spaces will be filled with vulnerable and marginalised people.

Today’s protest came a day after the Lords debated the Public Order Bill, a piece of legislation that aims to give police further powers to shut down protests considered highly draconian by its numerous critics.

The Bill saw a setback, with peers voting for a higher threshold in the legislation before police can intervene in protests and a stricter definition of “serious disruption” caused by action.

Supporter Caz Holmes said: “The government keeps saying we do not have the money to address social and environmental problems, yet they have the money to lock up the people who call these problems out — as if they think that ‘disappearing’ these people will disappear the issues.

“Instead of investing in communities, the NHS and making sure people stay warm this winter, the government hands over billions of pounds to private companies to build prisons, which serve to further marginalise the most vulnerable people within society.”

Extinction Rebellion activists disturbed proceedings in the House of Lords today in protest against the Bill. The protesters, wearing tops reading “defend human rights,” were escorted out of Parliament peacefully.