LONDON (Chatnewstv.com) — The British government has begun construction on a new 1,700-place prison in Leicestershire, marking the latest step in the largest jail expansion program the country has undertaken in over a century.
The Ministry of Justice announced Thursday the groundbreaking of HMP Welland Oaks, a major milestone in the government’s “Plan for Change” aimed at creating 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the expansion was necessary after the government inherited a system facing collapse.
“This Government inherited prisons on the brink collapse, with jails due to run out of spaces in mere days,” Lammy said. “This must never happen again. That is why as part of our Plan for Change we’re pressing ahead with the biggest prison expansion since the Victorian era.”
The new Category B, publicly run facility will be roughly the size of 35 football pitches and will incorporate state-of-the-art technology, including systems to block the use of illicit mobile phones.
The project is also expected to provide an economic boost, creating at least 100 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent roles once the prison becomes operational in 2029.
Eoghan O’Lionaird, Chief Executive Officer of Wates Group, the company delivering the $713 million build, highlighted the focus on inmate reintegration.
“It is designed to support rehabilitation and create opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives. With workshops and extensive training facilities, we’re helping prisoners develop skills that can lead to meaningful careers after release,” O’Lionaird said.
The $4.7 billion government investment in the prison estate runs alongside the Sentencing Bill, which is designed to ensure serious offenders can always be sent to prison to protect the public.
