LONDON, Feb. 3 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Four newhouseblocksunder construction atHMP Northumberland.  * New workshop withsix classroomstosteerprisonersaway fromcrime. * Latest milestone in Government's plans to build 14,000 prison places by 2031, as part of the Plan for Change 

The new cells will be fully operational by 2027 andhelp ensure there is always enough space for dangerous offenders.

The major project will also include the construction of a new workshopcontainingsix classrooms andindustry areas- deliveringpunishment that cuts crimeby giving prisoners the skills they need tostop reoffending.

Today's newsis a significant milestone in theGovernment's aims to build 14,000 additional prison places by2031 - with around 2,900 of these having already been built since July 2024. 

Minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson said: 

We inherited a prison system on thebrink ofcollapse,andhave wastedno time getting shovels in the groundto fix this-with 2,900 newprison places already opened-which alsocreatesjobs for communities like those in theNorth East.

Alongside sentencing reform, this willcreateprisonsthatcut crime, reduce reoffending,andensurethere are fewer victimsin the future.

The build will alsocreatejobsin the North East,with around 70 newpermanentrolesexpected at the prison once the houseblocks are complete.   

The projectis being deliveredby Kier, a leading provider of infrastructure services, construction and property developments. 

 

The construction follows the opening of the around 1,500-capacity prison in Yorkshire, HMP Millsike,last year. The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds, whilst investing £500 million over two years in prison and probation service maintenance to improve conditions across the estate.  The prison building programme will work alongside sentencing reform, to ensure there is always a cell to lock up the most dangerous offenders.

Background 

* The Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver these prison builds over this spending review period (2026/27 - 2029/30).

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.