PRISON EXPANSION BRINGS NEW CELLS AND JOBS TO NORTH EAST

LONDON, Sept. 14 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* 152 new prison places under construction at HMPKirklevingtonGrange tokeepstreetssafer * Prisoners working onconstruction to learn skills to turn their backs on crime for good * Thousandsof new prison placesacross theNorth Eastand Yorkshire,part ofGovernmentaction to ensure country never runs out of jail space again

TheRapid Deployment Cells- units which can be rolled out at speed toboostjailcapacity-are part of thebiggest prison expansion programme since the Victorian era, as the Governmentensuresthe country never runsout of jail space again.

Thousands of new prison placeshave already been deliveredacross theNorth Eastand Yorkshire, supporting jobs, local supplychainsand rehabilitation.

Nationally, the Government is investing £4.7 billion to deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2031, with more than 3,300 already delivered since July 2024.

Catherine McKinnell, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:

We inherited prisons on the brink of collapse, with the system days from running out of placesand dangerous criminals at risk of having nowhere to go.

We'refixing that failure by getting prison places builtacross the country, including major investment here in theNorth Eastand Yorkshire, so there is always a cell for those who pose a danger to the public.

We've already delivered 3,300 places across the country and we're investing billions to build thousands more, creating jobs and making our streets safer.

Prisoners themselves have been integral to the construction process at Kirklevington Grange. Two prisoners fromthe prison are working on the foundations on site, with plans to increase participation where possible, giving offenders the skills,experienceand qualifications they need to turn their backs on crime for good.

Construction partner Reds10 isalsoemploying prisoners on temporary release to help manufacture RDC units across the wider estate, while three prison leavers are now permanently employed by the company.

TheKirklevingtonGrangeproject was markedon Thursday(10 September) by a groundbreaking event bringing together prison leaders, the office of the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner, and construction firm Reds10.

Kelly Pearce, Governor of HMPKirklevingtonGrange, said:

This expansion is a major investment inKirklevingtonGrange and will allow us to support more prisoners as they prepare to return to their communities.

It is particularly important that the project itself is creating opportunities for prisoners to gain real workplace experience, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to find work and live crime-free lives on release.

Mark Wood, Head of Construction, Justice Sector at Reds10, said:

HMPKirklevingtonGrangedemonstrateswhat can be achieved when clients, contractors, prisonteamsand supply chain partners work together as one team from the outset.

As our largest Rapid Deployment Cells Programme project to date, itshowcasesthe benefits of combining Modern Methods of Construction with a fully integrated delivery model to provide greater certainty,coordinationand efficiency.

We're also proud that the project will create opportunities for prisoners through the ROTL programme, helping people develop valuable skills and workplace experience while contributing to the delivery of much-needed prison capacity.

TheKirklevingtonGrange expansion is part of decisive action taken by Government to ensure the country never again faces the nightmare of running out of prison spaces after net 500 places were added in fourteen years before July 2024.

AcrosstheNorth Eastand Yorkshirethis has included:

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Anew 1,500-place prison HMPMillsikeopened near York last year.

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Construction on anadditional240 placesat HMP Northumberland,and a further120 at HMP Humber.

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21extraplacesat HMP Holme House and furthercellsare being installed at HMPDeerbolt.

A contract hasalsorecently been signedpaving the way for the first phase of works to begin on a new 1,700-place prison in Lancashire.

Meanwhile, £110m is being invested to speed upthe construction of hundreds of prison places. It will see existing space within prisons converted into cells to deliver much-needed capacity - including through unused office space, laundryroomsand storage areas.

The Government has also recently set out changes to upcoming sentencing reforms which will block hundreds more dangerous offenders from earlier release. 

This includesmeasuresto boost capacity throughplans to remove foreign national offenders more quickly and end the historic injustice of Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences in a way that balances fairness and public safety.  

Notes to editors

* HMPKirklevingtonGrange is an open prison near Yarm which supports men preparing for release and resettlement in theNorth East. * The project will deliver 152additionalprison places across three two-storey accommodation blocks, alongside supporting facilities and infrastructure. * The accommodation will be created from 181 modules, with more than 85 per cent completed off-site. * Reds10 is the Principal Works Contractor delivering the scheme. * Two prisoners have been employed on the construction project throughRelease on Temporary Leave (ROTL).Prisoners must pass strict risk assessments to be eligible. * The Government has committed to delivering 14,000additionalprison places by 2031, with 3,300 delivered since July 2024.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.