- New Leicestershire prison to lock up dangerous
criminals
- Next step in plans to build 14,000 extra prison places by
2031
- Key part of Government's Plan for Change to ensure country
never runs out of places again
Ground has been broken on a new 1,700-place prison in
Leicestershire, marking the latest step in the biggest jail
expansion programme in over a century.
The construction of HMP Welland Oaks is a major milestone in the
Government's Plan for Change to create 14,000 additional prison
places by 2031. Once completed, it will add to the 2,600 places
already opened since July 2024 – ensuring there are always enough
spaces to lock up offenders. The prison estate increased by
less than 500 places in the fourteen years to April 2024.
The size of roughly 35 football pitches, this publicly run
category B prison will be equipped top to bottom with
state-of-the-art technology to cut crime and protect the public –
including technology to block the use of illicit mobile
phones.
HMP Welland Oaks will also provide an economic boost to the local
area, with at least 100 jobs created during construction, and
hundreds more permanent roles once the prison is
operational. 40% of the project spend will also be within a
50-mile radius of the site, including on building materials and
local contractors.
Deputy Prime Minister, MP, said:
“This Government inherited prisons on the brink collapse, with
jails due to run out of spaces in mere days.
“This must never happen again. That is why as part of our Plan
for Change we're pressing ahead with the biggest prison expansion
since the Victorian era."
The build will be delivered by Wates Group, a leading British
family-owned development, building and property maintenance
company, following the signing of a £713 million
contract.
Eoghan O'Lionaird, Chief Executive Officer of Wates
Group, said:
“We're proud to be supporting the Ministry of Justice in
delivering the vital prison places the country needs and showing
how construction can be a force for good – building safer,
stronger communities and leaving a lasting impact.
“HMP Welland Oaks is a highly advanced site built using modern
methods of construction and other innovative techniques. It
is designed to support rehabilitation and create opportunities
for individuals to rebuild their lives. With workshops and
extensive training facilities, we're helping prisoners develop
skills that can lead to meaningful careers after release.”
Louise Sunderland, Head of Cities & Places and London
for Mace Consult, commented:
“The groundbreaking at HMP Welland Oaks is our latest programme
to break ground, following the completion of HMP Millsike earlier
this year. Together with the MoJ and our partners, we are
directly supporting the government's plan to deliver 14,000 more
prison places by 2031.
“Our team at Mace are experts in delivering nationally
significant major programmes, contributing to robust cities and
places worldwide. We bring lessons learned from delivery across a
wide range of central government programmes to drive exceptional
outcomes for our clients, for local people and for national
economies.”
The name ‘Welland Oaks' draws inspiration from the geography and
history of the local area, and was chosen following extensive
consultation with the local community. The prison will open in
2029 and be operated by His Majesty's Prison and Probation
Service.
It is part of the £4.7 billion the Government is investing to
deliver the largest expansion to the prison estate since the
Victorian era, while a further £300 million will go towards vital
building maintenance across prisons and the probation this
financial year.
The prison building programme will work alongside the Sentencing
Bill to ensure the most serious offenders can always be sent to
prison to protect the public.
