THE Citizen took to the streets of Gloucester to see how people have been reacting to the news – and what they would like to see in place of the prison.
Dominique Long, 18, a street fundraiser, from Gloucester, said: "My brother was in prison and I know what it feels like to have to travel for three or four hours to get there so I really feel for the families who are now going to have to travel great distances to visit their relatives.
"Of course the other issue is that some people are going to lose their jobs and we are already in tough times so it is hard to see what these people are going to do next."
Alice Bowden, retail assistant, from Churchdown, said: "I don't really care about it to be honest.
"It isn't really what you want in a city centre anyway. They should put something nice in its place."
Jess Upton, from Western Road, Gloucester, said: "The people who visit the prison are going to have to travel far. It's going to affect them.
"They should use the site for something that would be interesting."
Ken Jones, from Newent, said: "There were reports of overcrowding and the facility being too old. I'd like to be satisfied that sufficient resources will be put in to replace it.
"We can't really have any more shops but it would be good to see it developed as a community facility rather than just more houses."
