Work progressing well on Wellingborough's new 'mega prison'

The construction firm behind Wellingborough's new prison says work is progressing well.

Kier was awarded the £253 million contract by the Ministry of Justice under its Prison Estate Transformation Programme for the new prison which will be known as HMP Five Wells.

The new category C resettlement prison is taking shape on the same site as the former HMP Wellingborough and will provide a modern facility which will create a safe and secure environment for staff and prisoners.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the site has been working in line with the site operating procedures created by guidance provided by the Government.

The precast concrete structures are now complete to all seven house blocks and the focus on site is making the buildings weather-tight ahead of internal fit outs.

As well as building the prison, the project team is also keen to make a positive impact on the local community.

Kier has sponsored local football club, AFC Rushden & Diamonds Women & Girls C.I.C, sent donations to the Daylight Centre foodbank and supported Great Doddington School through the installation of a new fence.

Kier’s supply chain partner, O’Neil & Brennan, also gifted 16 new iPads, enabling the children at Great Doddington School to learn and play.

Headteacher Teresa Davis said: "I just wanted to pass on huge thanks on behalf of all of us at Great Doddington for the fantastic new fence you have put up for us.

"The team have made such a neat job and it looks brilliant.

"It has been something we have wanted to do for many years but have not had the funding to do so.

"It means we can make good use of the front of our school safely now which we really appreciate.”

HMP Five Wells is also a trailblazing scheme for delivering engineering skills and the first to take on digital construction apprentices via Kier’s award-winning programme.

To date the project has provided 34 apprenticeships, 1,661 work placement days, 176 new jobs and helped upskill 614 people.

The new category C resettlement prison incorporates the latest design and technology to enhance security and rehabilitation.

It will hold around 1,680 prisoners and is due to open in early 2022.

The Northants Telegraph reported in October that G4S had been awarded the contract to run the new prison, creating 700 jobs.

Wellingborough's former prison was shut down in 2012 because of its poor condition.

But it was then revealed that the site would be brought back into use as part of the government's Prison Estate Transformation Programme.

Work on the new prison began last year.

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