Building work on Britain’s newest ‘smart’ prison will start this
autumn – delivering over 1,400 modern places to get more
offenders into jobs and away from crime.
The date has been set in stone as a result of a new £400m
contract signed today with construction firm Kier, who will build
the cutting-edge jail in East Yorkshire in time for it to open in
2025.
Following close on the heels of HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough
which opened in February this year, the new Category C prison
will be designed from top-to-bottom with the latest smart
technology to cut crime and protect the public.
The jail will include an unprecedented array of workshops and
classrooms, so prisoners spend their time behind bars learning
new skills to find work on release – factors known to
significantly reduce reoffending.
It will also be the first new prison to operate as zero-carbon in
the future, with an all-electric design, solar panels, heat
pumps and more efficient lighting systems to reduce energy demand
significantly.
In a boost for the local economy, the new prison will create
hundreds of jobs in construction, and a further 600 once the
establishment opens.
And at least 50 construction roles will be earmarked for
ex-offenders - giving them the opportunity to rebuild their
lives, gain new skills and get back on the straight and narrow.
The new jail is the latest major step in our commitment to
building 20,000 new prison places and in turn protecting the
public.
Prisons Minister, , said:
I am delighted work can begin on yet another modern, innovative
prison that will skill-up untold numbers of offenders to live a
crime-free life while making our streets safer.
The new prison at Full Sutton will also support hundreds of jobs,
in construction and afterwards, representing a major boost to
Yorkshire’s economy.
Group Managing Director of Kier Construction, Liam Cummins, said:
Delivery of the new prison at Full Sutton represents over a
decade of Kier operating as a successful partner to the Ministry
of Justice and highlights our ongoing commitment to the New
Prisons’ Programme.
This project will create hundreds of jobs as well as providing
opportunities for prisoners on release, and we’re proud to give
people the opportunity to work with us to deliver a best-in-class
facility built on modern methods of construction and engineering
excellence.
The new buildings will sit opposite the existing HMP Full Sutton
and will be the third of six prisons to be completed as part of
the New Prisons Programme, following HMP Five Wells and HMP Fosse
Way in Glen Parva, which is due to open next year.
Locations for the remaining three are being finalised, and of the
four final builds, one will be run by Her Majesty’s Prison and
Probation Service and three by private operators.
The process of naming the new prison will be confirmed in due
course and as with Five Wells and Fosse Way, will involve close
consultation with the local community.
Around £4 billion of investment will create thousands of jobs for
local communities and see millions invested in local roads and
infrastructure while rehabilitating thousands of offenders and
keeping the public safe.
Notes to editors:
- Work to build the new prison at Full Sutton will commence in
the coming months, with a firm date to be confirmed.
- Like Five Wells and Fosse Way, the new prison will include a
range of cutting-edge technology.
- At its peak, the construction phase will employ as many as
1,000 workers, with many employed from the local community.
-
Making
Ground is Kier’s prison engagement and employment
programme, designed to support serving prisoners and prison
leavers into sustainable employment in the construction
industry.
