Prisons minister Victoria Atkins has announced that thousands of new prison places will be built across England as part of a £500m construction deal with Kier and Wates
Kier and Wates have been awarded contracts to lead an alliance of hundreds of small businesses in constructing new housing at six prisons, which will be capable of accommodating more than 2,600 offenders.
They will also build state-of-the-art workshops at the six locations – HMPs Bullingdon, Channings Wood, Elmley, Highpoint, Hindley and Wayland – which will add further momentum to the government’s drive to cut reoffending and crime by getting more ex-offenders into jobs.
The new prisons will be designed with security and rehabilitation in mind, including x-shaped buildings with wider landings to increase visibility of multiple wings. The designs will also mean easier access to supporting facilities such as additional healthcare and kitchens, promoting rehabilitation and helping prisoners to turn their lives around.
The construction of the new prison places will generate over 2,000 jobs through the construction phase and over 750 jobs within the new prison facilities.
‘Security and rehabilitation at the heart of its design’
Prisons minister Victoria Atkins, said: “The government is delivering on its vision for a modern prison estate that places security and rehabilitation at the heart of its design.
“This will boost public safety by giving offenders every opportunity to turn away from a life of crime and towards a future of gainful employment.
“These houseblocks are also great news for the local firms who will play a central role in constructing them, along with the communities who benefit from the jobs that will be created at the prisons.”
Continuing Kier’s relationship as a strategic supplier to the government
Liam Cummins, group managing director, Kier Construction, commented: “Being appointed to the Accelerated Houseblock Development Programme (AHDP) is a fantastic opportunity for Kier to continue the strong relationship we have built with MOJ over a number of years as a strategic supplier to government.
“We are excited to be combining our national, custodial expertise with our strong regional delivery capability to unlock value for the MOJ, both at strategic programme and local delivery levels.
“As a project integrator, we look forward to continuing to drive forward the high standards we have set in using modern methods of construction, including innovation, technology and pushing the boundaries of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA). We will also continue our commitment to supporting prisoner rehabilitation through the extensive use of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) through our Making Ground programme.”
‘Creating environments that boost staff and prisoner wellbeing’
Paul Chandler, executive managing director, Wates Construction Group, added: “We have been working closely with the MoJ for almost two decades to support the expansion and modernisation of its estate and look forward to bringing this experience to the Accelerated Houseblock Development programme.
“Drawing on the expertise of our in-house engineering and offsite manufacturing specialists, we will be working closely with our Alliance partners to deliver greener, more operationally efficient buildings that support the MoJ’s net zero ambitions by 2040.
“Not only this, but our focus will be on creating environments that boost staff and prisoner wellbeing, and that encourage better rehabilitation outcomes for the people that these buildings serve in the long-term.”
The new prison places are part of the governments £4bn investment to create 20,000 modern places – the biggest prison-building programme this country has seen in over a century.
The new prisons will ensure the right conditions are in place to truly rehabilitate prisoners – giving them the education, skills and support they need to live crime-free lives on release. This will help to cut crime, reduce reoffending and protect the public.
