An expansion and refurbishment programme will create more than 4,000 new
prison places across the country, the Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has announced.
These new places are part of the government’s £4 billion investment to
create 20,000 modern and innovative prison places, ensuring the right
conditions are in place to truly rehabilitate prisoners. This will give
prisoners the education, skills and addiction support they need to live crime-free
lives on release, helping to cut crime and protect the public.
The 4,000 places announced today will be created across 16 prisons through
the building of new wings and refurbishing jails. They will create thousands of
jobs for local communities, boosting economies.
Subject to planning permission, 8 prisons will receive new houseblocks while
HMP High Down in Surrey will get a brand-new workshop. The innovative designs
will mean easier access to supporting facilities such as healthcare, kitchens
and staff offices which will help to protect frontline staff and clamp down on
crime behind bars.
New workshops and classrooms will also see offenders getting vital work and
training so they are able to find employment on release.
Seven other prisons will also receive comprehensive refurbishments part of a
wider £150 million investment in the estate to help bring all jails into the
21st century.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, said: “Our
unprecedented prison-building programme is the largest in more than a century
and will deliver an additional 20,000 prison places by the mid-2020s.
“We are improving our existing prison estate, putting more
offenders behind bars, training them for release and protecting the public.
“(This) news is the latest step in the government’s commitment to create
20,000 modern and innovative prison places by the mid-2020s.”
Construction at 2 new prisons, which are part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s
commitment to build
6 modern jails, has already created more than 500 jobs and over 70
apprenticeships When the two prisons open, they are expected to offer over a
thousand permanent jobs – providing a significant boost to the local economy.
Thousands of jobs will also be created at the 16 sites planned for expansion
through the building process and the additional prison officer roles required.
