£500 million pound boost to create more spaces for inmates at Devon's Channings Wood Prison
New house blocks will be built at six prisons across the country - accommodating more than 2,600 prisoners
Last updated 20th Jun 2022
Thousands of new prison places will be built at prisons across England under a £500 million construction deal, including in Devon.
Kier and Wates have been awarded contracts to lead an alliance of hundreds of small businesses in constructing new houseblocks at six prisons – capable of accommodating more than 2,600 offenders.
They will also build workshops at the six locations - HMPs Channings Wood, Bullingdon, Elmley, Highpoint, Hindley and Wayland.
The design of the new house blocks will include x-shaped buildings with wider landings to increase visibility of multiple wings – helping officers to maintain order.
The designs will also mean easier access to supporting facilities, such as additional healthcare and kitchens.
It is estimated that the construction of the houseblocks and refurbishment works will generate over 2,000 jobs through the construction phase and over 750 jobs within the new prison facilities.
This includes jobs through Kier’s ‘Making Ground’ initiative, which offers prisoners on temporary licence jobs in the construction industry. To date, over 100 serving prisoners and prison leavers have taken part in the programme.
These new builds are in addition to the two planned houseblocks announced earlier this year at HMPs Stocken and Guys Marsh, while construction of a brand-new workshop is already underway at HMP High Down in Surrey.