We have been working with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for nearly 20-years, building new prison blocks and refurbishing existing buildings across the national prison estate.
This work is crucial – not just in providing the desperately needed additional prison capacity, but also in ensuring prisons are decent and safe places to live and work – as we all aim to reduce reoffending and improve life chances for offenders.
In 2022 we started work on the construction of our third houseblock project at HMP Stocken, a category C prison in Rutland. The new 3-storey houseblock has 206 cells (188 single, 8 doubles and 2 disability cells), an extension to the car park, new modular office for offender management and a new 100-place workshop. Construction of the houseblock is expected to be completed at the end of 2023, with the first prisoners arriving in early 2024
This is the third houseblock we have built at HMP Stocken, the last one being a new 206 capacity Houseblock, Kitchen, Activities Building, Sub-Station including refurbishment of some ancillary buildings and an extension to existing car park back in 2017.
We took an early decision on the 2017 houseblock to develop a modularised pre-cast concrete solution for the houseblock, integrating underfloor heating mats, cell doors, windows and grilles, and service runs, into two-dimensional components. We also worked with our offsite manufacturing facility to pre-assemble risers and plant room skids. Doing so enabled the 27 three-storey houseblock risers to be installed in just three days which, combined with use of plantroom skids, saved three weeks overall on the programme.
Andrew Riggs
Head of Government Sector, Wates
We are contributing to the government programme by creating more than 4,000 new prison places across England and Wales by expanding existing jails. Construction is already underway at HMP High Down with two houseblocks earmarked for HMP Guys Marsh.
This is a key element of the government’s overall £4 billion investment to build 20,000 modern and innovative prison places, ensuring the right conditions are in place to truly rehabilitate prisoners. This will give prisoners the education, skills and addiction support they need to live crime-free lives on release, helping to cut crime and protect the public.
Stuart Andrew
Prisons Minister
As part of a drive to skill-up offenders to equip them for a life free from crime, the block includes an innovative partnership with shipping and logistics company DHL which will run courses at a purpose-built workshop.
Prisoners will earn qualifications in the logistics industry, helping them find work upon release boosting efforts to reduce reoffending and keep the public safe. The new houseblock will also include new prisoner classrooms and fitness facilities for offenders to aid rehabilitation.
Russ Truman
HMP Stocken Prison Governor
Get in touch to chat about your fit-out and refurbishment project.
