Kier Group has held a ceremony, along with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to mark the start of work on site at HMP Bullingdon.
Work has begun on the Category B men’s prison near Bicester in Oxfordshire, with Kier currently constructing a new fully electric, four-storey X-shaped T60 houseblock.
The expansion will increase prison capacity to over 1300 – adding an additional 247 spaces.
In July, the government expressed concern over the current state of UK’s prisons with justice secretary Shabana Mahmood stating in a speech that it “become clear that the male prison estate is now running at over 99 percent capacity”.
In May, it was announced that Kier was among Laing O’Rourke, ISG and Wates as a part of the New Prisons Programme to deliver thousands of new prison places as part of the Government’s commitment to deliver 20,000 modern prison places across the UK.
Kier also secured a contract alongside Mace, in 2022, to take the lead on the UK’s first all-electric prison at Full Sutton in East Yorkshire.
The new HMP Bullingdon houseblock aims to support the MoJ aim to reduce carbon emissions through energy efficient design.
It is the fifteenth houseblock that Kier has worked on following the successful build at HMP Five Wells.
Kier is also currently working on build projects at HMP Millsike and HMP Elmley, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) will be used on the projects, with components manufactured off site.
The contractor will also build a workshop and a programmes building at HMP Bullingdon to aid in prisoner rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
The work will also include a two-storey admin building and a single storey extension to the physical recreation area.
Stuart Togwell, group managing director at Kier Construction, said: “We are delighted that work to expand HMP Bullingdon for the Ministry of Justice has now begun.
“This ceremony marks the start of our journey to providing improved facilities and more space for staff and prisoners.
“This project is a brilliant opportunity to continue the strong relationship we have built with MoJ through our role as a strategic supplier to the government.
“We will use our extensive experience and regional capabilities to deliver this project efficiently and sustainably.”
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