A boom in prison construction work
is set to provide a boost for the industry.
Glenigan’s construction market research shows that contracts worth more than
£1.3 billion have been awarded for prison projects in the 12 months to August
2022, and more work is in the pipeline.
Glenigan economics director Allan Wilén comments: “In June 2020, the
government made a commitment to create more than 10,000 new prison spaces and
this work is now starting to filter through.”
In the 12 months to August 2022, Glenigan’s construction industry data shows
the number of contracts let for prison work doubled to 28 awards as the
government’s £4 billion prison estate investment plan gears up (Project ID:
15378582). Schemes in this programme are beginning to move to site with Kier
just beginning construction on the £400 million Full Sutton prison project in
York (Project ID: 17106042).
Contracts for prison work have been awarded in eight of the nine English
regions with Yorkshire benefitting most through the Full Sutton scheme.
Outside of England, Balfour Beatty recently started work on a £110 million
prison in Inverness (Project ID: 16153800)
The Ministry of Justice is the construction industry’s third biggest client
after letting £1.2 billion-worth of construction contracts in the 12 months to
August 2022. This figure is up from just £69 million a year ago, when the MoJ
did not even feature in Glenigan’s rankings of the industry’s Top 50 clients.
The MoJ’s plans include building four new prisons and refurbishing existing
sites through the Accelerated Houseblock Development Programme.
As part of this strand, Kier and Wates were awarded contracts worth £500
million in the summer to expand six prisons at Bullingdon, Channings Wood,
Elmley, Highpoint, Hindley and Wayland.
Wates should start work before the end of this year on a £148 million
extension of HMP Highpoint (Project ID: 22009764), a £125 million plan for two
new blocks at HMP Hindley (Project ID: 17107775) and a £24 million expansion at
HMP Wayland (Project ID: 22039937)
Kier should also begin construction before Christmas on a £49 million
extension of HMP Bullingdon (Project ID: 17107775).
Kier is also working on a £102 million scheme at HMP Channings Wood,
(Project ID: 21529539) and a £84 million expansion of HMP Elmley (Project ID:
22028909). Glenigan’s market research suggests that construction on both these
schemes will start next year.
There is more prison work in the planning pipeline. In the 12 months to
August 2022, 19 prison schemes valued at £250,000 or more secured planning
approval according to Glenigan’s research.
This figure is up from 12 approved schemes in the previous 12 months.
The total of £787 million does include the Inverness and Full Sutton
schemes, but other prison projects are also coming through.
New schemes yet to be awarded range from an £11.4 million plan for new
accommodation blocks at HMP Leyhill (Project ID: 21463179) to a £240 million
new prison at Grendon Springhill near Aylesbury (Project ID: 21094516).
With work on site and in the pipeline, the prison sector looks set to
provide industry opportunities.
