Four thousand prison places to be created following government’s expansion plans

Four thousand new prison places will be created as part of the government’s £4bn investment plans.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab announced details of the expansion plan in 2021 and the government has also committed to creating 20,000 places by the middle of the decade.

HMPs Birmingham, Liverpool, Stocken, Guys Marsh and High Down have planning permission granted to be refurbished, whilst YOIs in Feltham, Aylesbury and Swinfen Hall will also be refurbished.

Subject to planning permission, eight prisons will also receive new house blocks, while HMP High Down in Surrey will get a brand-new workshop, all part of a wider £150m investment to help bring jails into the 21st century.

HMPs Birmingham and Liverpool have been scrutinised in the past with accusations of cramped conditions and rat infestations.

Raab said the expansion of prison places would “punish offenders, deter crime and protect the public”.

“We are also overhauling the prison regime, using prison design, in cell technology, abstinence-based drug rehabilitation and work to drive down reoffending,” he added.

The new designs are to facilitate easier access to facilities such as healthcare, kitchens and staff offices to protect frontline staff.

Workshops and classroom improvements are being made to help offenders receive work and training so they can find employment on the outside.

Construction at two new prisons, which are part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to building 6 modern jails, has already created more than 500 jobs and over 70 apprenticeships