Kier Secures £250 Million in Contracts for Major Prison Expansion Projects

Construction firm Kier has been awarded significant contracts totalling £250 million to expand prison capacity at HMP Northumberland and HMP Lancaster Farms. These projects are part of the Ministry of Justice’s initiative to increase the number of available prison places across the UK. The expansion will involve the construction of new houseblocks and associated facilities, aiming to enhance security and rehabilitation opportunities.

Key Takeaways

Kier awarded £250 million in contracts for prison expansions at HMP Northumberland and HMP Lancaster Farms.
The projects will add 480 prison places and include four new houseblocks at each site.
Completion is expected by early 2027.
These contracts reinforce Kier’s position as a leading contractor in the UK justice sector.

Project Scope and Timeline

Under the terms of the contracts, Kier will deliver four new houseblocks at both HMP Northumberland and HMP Lancaster Farms. In addition to the new accommodation, the projects encompass the development of new site-wide infrastructure and upgrades to existing ancillary facilities. The construction is slated for completion by early 2027.

Government’s Prison Capacity Drive

These expansions are a crucial component of the government’s broader strategy to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031. Kier’s involvement in the Small Secure Houseblocks Programme (SSHP) Alliance for the Ministry of Justice underscores its role in this national effort. This latest award brings the total number of houseblocks Kier will have delivered for the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Prison Service to 30 in recent years.

Kier’s Track Record and Rehabilitation Initiatives

Kier has a proven history in delivering projects within the justice sector, having previously completed HMP Five Wells and HMP Millsike. The company is also currently undertaking expansions at HMPs Elmley, Bullingdon, and Channings Wood. Beyond construction, Kier is committed to rehabilitation through its ‘Making Ground’ initiative. This program offers training and employment opportunities for prisoners, with 29 individuals at HMP Channings Wood recently graduating from its ‘Hard Hat Ready’ course. Over the past three years, this initiative has led to 75 prison leavers securing employment and 64 placements for prisoners released on temporary licence.

Strategic Importance and Future Outlook

Rebecca Boundy, Kier Construction’s Managing Director for Justice, expressed pride in being a trusted delivery partner, emphasizing the focus on repeatability and continuous improvement to enhance performance and reduce lifecycle costs. Fiona Parker, Deputy Director for the SSHP at His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service, highlighted that the expansions are a vital step towards providing secure, modern, and rehabilitative facilities that contribute to public protection and prisoner development.