New prison to create jobs and boost economy
Hundreds of jobs will be created as construction work on a new £286 million prison in Leicestershire gets underway, Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer announced today (2 September 2020).
- Lendlease to build new prison in Leicestershire
- building will support local economy with hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships
- will be built using eco-friendly, cutting-edge techniques
Work will now begin on a category C resettlement prison at the shovel-ready site, previously the location of HMP Glen Parva, after the government signed a contract with developers Lendlease.
The jail will be built using cutting-edge technology which sees parts of the prison built off site – resulting in speedier, more environmentally friendly construction, which minimises waste and is in line with the government’s commitment to build back greener.
Most of the ground materials will also be recycled, with 75,000m3 of existing material due to be re-used. This will save over 10,000 vehicle journeys going on and off site.
Early ecology works have also been carried out to manage vegetation and wildlife, so they are not disturbed by future construction.
The prison, which is expected to be completed by spring 2023, will benefit the local economy by creating around 150 jobs and apprenticeships during construction and around 600 permanent roles once the prison opens. There will also be opportunities for ex-offenders – helping to reduce reoffending before the prison is even built.
Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer QC MP said:
The new jail at Glen Parva is another milestone in our plan to transform the prison estate, providing the environment needed to steer offenders away from crime.
As well as rehabilitating prisoners and keeping the public safer, the prison will be a major boost to the local economy. Hundreds of jobs will be created during and after construction, sending a clear signal that this government is committed to supporting communities and infrastructure across the country.
Simon Gorski, Lendlease’s Managing Director for Construction in Europe, said:
We have a proven track record of delivering projects that can deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for the communities where we work. Our partners trust that we will deliver long lasting value and we will be entirely focussed on delivering the very highest standard of building.
The new prison at Glen Parva is the second prison being built by this Government alongside the new jail at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire.
Both prisons will create 3,360 modern, safe and secure prison places in addition to the government’s £2.5 billion programme to create 10,000 prison places.
Plans are already underway to deliver 6,500 of these prison places with four more new prisons, to be built across England over the next 6 years.
As category C resettlement prisons, the new jails will provide prisoners with the opportunity to develop their own skills so they can find work and resettle back into the community on release, reducing reoffending.