Wates this week held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new prison houseblock it’s building at HMP Wayland in Norfolk, part of the Ministry of Justice’s Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme for boosting prison capacity in England.
Set to house 247 prisoners, the new, four-storey block – which the contractor started last August – will have a 1,200-capacity kitchen for the whole prison and 66 education places. Wates will also deliver a site-wide power upgrade.
The new facility will provide tutor-led classroom sessions designed to help prisoners develop skills, particularly in construction. Workshops will offer CSCS cards and NVQs.
An all-weather sports pitch and outdoor exercise areas will support prisoners’ personal development ahead of their release.
Saved by a dictionary
Writer and actor Ric Renton spoke at the ceremony about his experience in the prison system and the role of rehabilitation. He spoke about how receiving a dictionary to read during a stretch in solitary confinement changed his life.
Liberty Kitchen and Combat2Coffee – organisations that train and employ prisoners – catered for the ceremony.
The Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme aims to create 2,800 extra prison places using modern construction methods.
Wates will employ 10 prison leavers on this project directly and through its supply chain, and provide six months’ structured support.
The contractor will also provide some 3,500 training hours, 11 apprenticeships, 250 hours of volunteering, and engage 300 school and college students.
BREEAM Excellent block
Wates is building the houseblock using a standardised design with premanufactured components. Set to be fully electric, the block will aim for BREEAM Excellent or better, supporting the Ministry of Justice’s sustainability goals and reducing long-term operational costs.
“This expansion will provide much-needed additional capacity, while creating an environment that supports rehabilitation, skills development and long-term reintegration,” said Mark Craig, Wates’ managing director for construction south.
HMP Wayland governor Kevin Clark said: “The new accommodation will provide a safe and secure environment for us to rehabilitate prisoners and get them ready for release. We are pleased that the construction work has officially begun and we look forward to working with our contractors to get things delivered.”
Wates is in the process of delivering 3,500 prison places in England.
