The construction of three new, four-storey houseblocks at HMP Highpoint will increase its capacity by over 50%, marking a significant step in the Government's efforts to create safer streets.
This expansion is part of a broader strategy to deliver 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.
The new houseblocks will feature innovative workshops and teaching facilities designed to equip prisoners with skills necessary for securing employment upon release, helping them turn their backs on crime for good. The new cells are expected to be fully operational by summer 2027.
The construction, managed by Wates Group, will provide an economic boost to East Anglia, creating hundreds of jobs during the build and over 200 permanent positions at the prison once completed. Additionally, 30% of materials and subcontractors will be sourced from within a 50-mile radius, further supporting local businesses.
Lord James Timpson, Minister for Prisons, said:
“This government is fixing the broken prison system it inherited – wasting no time in getting shovels in the ground to deliver the spaces needed to protect the public.
“These new houseblocks have been designed with a laser-focus on cutting crime and are a major step in our plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places by 2031.
“But we cannot simply build our way out of this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can lock up dangerous offenders, cut crime and make our streets safer.”
Upon completion, HMP Highpoint will be the largest public sector prison in terms of land size in North-West Europe and the largest in the UK based on prisoner population. This development is part of the Government's 10-year prison capacity strategy, which includes 6,400 places through new houseblocks and 6,500 places via new prisons.
The Government is investing £2.3 billion to deliver these prison builds, with an additional £500 million allocated for vital building maintenance across prisons and the probation service. The strategy aims to ensure that the most serious offenders can always be sent to prison to protect the public.
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