Wates Group has commenced work on a significant £300 million expansion project at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk, aiming to deliver 741 additional category C prison places.

The development, which got underway following a groundbreaking event on Thursday, 6 March, attended by Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson, is part of the UK Government's programme to increase prison capacity across the country.

The project will involve the construction of three new four-storey houseblocks, alongside ancillary facilities including a new healthcare building and a multipurpose workshop. Existing buildings, such as the gym and gatehouse, will also undergo upgrades, and additional kitchen space will be created to serve the entire prison.

A key focus of the expansion is to enhance rehabilitation opportunities for prisoners. Plans include state-of-the-art workshop and teaching facilities designed to equip inmates with valuable skills to improve their chances of securing employment upon release. The project is also committed to delivering social value through the creation of apprenticeships, jobs for prison leavers, training and upskilling initiatives for prisoners, and services benefiting the local community.

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Lord James Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, commented on the development: "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." He added, "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."

Phil Shortman, Regional Managing Director - MoJ, Wates, stated: "We are proud to be involved in the major programme of delivering much-needed prison spaces." He also highlighted the use of offsite manufacturing in Ministry of Justice workshops, which has provided employment and skills development opportunities. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Ministry of Justice delivering additional prison capacity with a focus on rehabilitation, sustainability and social value for the local community," Shortman added.

The project is utilising modern methods of construction and standardised designs to improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure the new facilities meet high standards of quality, security, and efficiency. The development is targeting a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.

Other key stakeholders involved in the HMP Highpoint expansion include Mace, Pick Everard, Baker Hicks, Gleeds, and Prism Offsite Manufacturing.

The new prison wings are scheduled for completion in the summer of 2027, with prisoners expected to move in shortly thereafter. This expansion aims to alleviate pressure on prison places nationwide while also prioritising the rehabilitation of offenders.