Suffolk prison to be expanded to house more prisoners
A new workshop is also going to be set up at HMP Highpoint to provide offenders with job training
A new houseblock is to be built at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, as part of a Ministry of Justice plan to create more prison places.
The Category C men's prison, at Stradishall, is one of six institutions being expanded at a cost of around £500m.
It's estimated the project will create over 2,000 jobs across the UK.
Highpoint will also get a state-of-the-art workshop to provide job training to prisoners which could help them after release.
The scheme has already seen the proportion of ex-prisoners employed six months after release increase by two-thirds between April 2021 and March 2022.
Some prisoners will be given the chance to work temporary licence jobs in the construction industry.
Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins MP, 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.”