Kier has been awarded a significant £200m contract by the Ministry of Justice to expand HMP Channings Wood, near Newton Abbot, Devon.
- The expansion will add 494 prison places through new X-shaped T60 houseblocks, part of a broader framework.
- Kier will also construct a workshop aimed at providing skills and rehabilitation opportunities for inmates.
- The project is part of an accelerated delivery programme involving modular construction methods.
- Additional projects under this alliance include ongoing works at HMPs Millsike, Elmley, Bullingdon, and the completed HMP Five Wells.
Kier, a leading construction and infrastructure services company, has been entrusted with a £200m contract by the Ministry of Justice for the expansion of HMP Channings Wood, a Category C men’s prison located near Newton Abbot in Devon. This expansion is set to create 494 additional prison places through the construction of innovative X-shaped T60 houseblocks. These new houseblocks are a continuation of a framework agreement that Kier is executing in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, aimed at enhancing the capacity of the prison estate.
As part of the contract, Kier is also tasked with building a workshop at the prison facility. This workshop is intended to equip inmates with valuable skills that support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society upon release. The development is part of Kier’s broader commitment to fostering community support and providing employment opportunities to prison leavers through its Making Ground programme. This particular initiative offers work opportunities in construction to individuals released on temporary licence, further promoting a path towards rehabilitation.
The expansion forms a segment of the accelerated houseblocks delivery programme (AHDP), a strategic alliance contract awarded to Kier and its partner Wates Construction. This programme was procured via the Crown Commercial Service framework, which facilitates the procurement process for public sector projects. The use of modular construction methods is a hallmark of this programme, with key components manufactured off-site, allowing for faster, more efficient building processes.
Kier’s involvement in this expansion is part of a suite of projects across various prison locations, including ongoing works at HMP Bullingdon and HMP Elmley, with successful completion already witnessed at HMP Five Wells. Modular construction continues to be central to these expansions, reflecting the project’s forward-thinking approach and alignment with modern construction efficiencies.
This ambitious project underscores Kier’s role in shaping modern correctional facilities, enhancing capacity with innovative building techniques.
