New investment to create jobs and support work to cut
reoffending.
A new modern prison in Glasgow to replace the 143-year-old HMP
Barlinnie has been given the go-ahead – delivering £450 million
worth of economic benefits.
With the construction contract now signed, HMP Glasgow will have
a capacity of 1,344 - adding 357 more places to the overall
prison estate once completed in 2028. The total project cost is
£998.4 million.
The prison has been designed to deliver fit-for-purpose, safe and
secure accommodation that will improve opportunities for
successful rehabilitation to help reduce reoffending, while
creating a safer working environment for staff.
The project, which independent benchmarking shows is in line with
costs for similar recent prison builds in England and Wales, will
provide significant economic benefits both during construction
and following completion. During peak construction activity there
will be over 1,000 people on site, with several thousand working
on the project over the lifespan. There will be 50 new
apprenticeships created within that workforce.
Developer Kier Construction has committed to providing a range of
community benefits, including employment for the local community,
such as apprenticeships, training and work placements for
ex-offenders, as well as supporting local businesses.
Justice Secretary said:
“HMP Glasgow is a bold vision for the future of Scottish prisons
that will help reduce reoffending, contribute to less crime,
while delivering a considerable economic boost for the city and
beyond.
“The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian-age prison
that is no longer fit for purpose. It will increase prison
capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well
as considerably improving staff working conditions.
“Delivering the best value has been a key consideration of this
project, which will provide more £450 million worth of economic
benefits, including jobs and contracts for businesses in
Scotland. I very much welcome that at least 50% of project spend
will benefit the local supply chain.
“It has taken time to find the right site and plan for HMP
Glasgow, and like all other major infrastructure projects it has
not been immune to inflation as a result of Brexit and the COVID
pandemic.
“The project's cost has been extensively scrutinised, with
independent benchmarking analysis finding the costs are
comparable with similar prison projects elsewhere in the UK.”
Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service,
said:
“HMP Glasgow will have a transformative impact in how we support
and rehabilitate people.
“It is an investment in our staff, in those in our care, and in
Glasgow and Scotland as a whole, as we work with our partners to
improve people's futures and together build safer communities.
“I want to thank Scottish Government, for its continued support
and investment, and everyone whose hard work has helped us reach
this important milestone as we continue to develop a prison
estate fit for the 21st century."
Rebecca Boundy, Public Sector Director at Kier Construction,
said: "It's an honour to be awarded the contract to deliver this
critical project.
“We will build a sustainable, state-of-the-art facility while
ensuring that local communities, schools and charities directly
benefit both now and in the future.
“Using the latest techniques and modern methods of construction,
we will harness the very best of our team's significant
experience in the justice sector to provide a high-quality, more
efficient prison for Scotland which has rehabilitation at its
core.
“The project will provide new jobs, with at least 50% of project
spend committed to local supply chain partners, and also
including provision for those who have directly experienced the
justice system in the last six months.”
Background
The total cost of the project is £998.4 million which includes
the cost of land acquisition, VAT and a construction contract
cost of £683.8 million.
Scotland's largest prison, HMP Barlinnie is more than 140 years
old. It houses male prisoners – both individuals on remand, and
those with convictions serving vary lengths of sentence. HM
Inspector of Prisons for Scotland said in its last independent
annual report on Barlinnie that its buildings, accommodation and
facilities are not fit for purpose.
A National Audit Office
report published on 4 December 2024, has highlighted recent
significant increases in the costs of prisons builds in England
and Wales.
HMP Glasgow will be sited at Provanmill, south of Royston Road.
