New prisons to create thousands of construction jobs

Plans to build four new prisons that will create thousands of jobs in the construction industry have been unveiled by Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss.

The final decisions on the new prisons will be subject to planning approvals and meeting value and affordability tests.

The four prisons would be located Full Sutton in Yorkshire; Hindley in Wigan; Rochester in Kent and Port Talbot in South Wales.

The plans are part of the government’s £1.3Bn investment to build up to 10,000 modern prison places by the end of the decade.

In addition to modernising prison facilities, it is envisaged the investment will boost economies across the country, with around 2,000 jobs created in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The announcement follows the opening of HMP Berwyn in Wrexham last month.

Construction of this new £212M prison has already contributed over £100M to the region’s economy and seen around 150 jobs and apprenticeships created prior to the facilities opening.

Justice Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “We cannot hope to reduce reoffending until we build prisons that are places of reform where hard work and self-improvement flourish.

“Outdated prisons, with dark corridors and cramped conditions, will not help offenders turn their back on crime – nor do they provide our professional and dedicated prison officers with the right tools or environment to do their job effectively.

“This significant building programme will not only help create a modern prison estate where wholescale reform can truly take root, but will also provide a thriving, economic lifeline for the local community – creating hundreds of jobs for local people and maximising opportunities for businesses.

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