Construction begins on new 1,700 place jail to make streets safer
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-06)

Ground has been broken on a new 1,700-place prison in Leicestershire, marking the latest step in the biggest jail expansion programme in over a century.

- New Leicestershire prison to lock up dangerous criminals
- Next step in plans to build 14,000 extra prison places by 2031
- Key part of Government’s Plan for Change to ensure country never runs out of places again
The construction of HMP Welland Oaks is a major milestone in the Government’s Plan for Change to create 14,000 additional prison places by 2031. Once completed, it will add to the 2,600 places already opened since July 2024 – ensuring there are always enough spaces to lock up offenders. The prison estate increased by less than 500 places in the fourteen years to April 2024.

The size of roughly 35 football pitches, this publicly run category B prison will be equipped top to bottom with state-of-the-art technology to cut crime and protect the public – including technology to block the use of illicit mobile phones.

HMP Welland Oaks will also provide an economic boost to the local area, with at least 100 jobs created during construction, and hundreds more permanent roles once the prison is operational. 40% of the project spend will also be within a 50-mile radius of the site, including on building materials and local contractors.

Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy MP, said:

This Government inherited prisons on the brink collapse, with jails due to run out of spaces in mere days.

This must never happen again. That is why as part of our Plan for Change we’re pressing ahead with the biggest prison expansion since the Victorian era.

The build will be delivered by Wates Group, a leading British family-owned development, building and property maintenance company, following the signing of a £713 million contract.

Eoghan O’Lionaird, Chief Executive Officer of Wates Group, said:

We’re proud to be supporting the Ministry of Justice in delivering the vital prison places the country needs and showing how construction can be a force for good – building safer, stronger communities and leaving a lasting impact.

HMP Welland Oaks is a highly advanced site built using modern methods of construction and other innovative techniques. It is designed to support rehabilitation and create opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives. With workshops and extensive training facilities, we’re helping prisoners develop skills that can lead to meaningful careers after release.

Louise Sunderland, Head of Cities & Places and London for Mace Consult, commented:

The groundbreaking at HMP Welland Oaks is our latest programme to break ground, following the completion of HMP Millsike earlier this year. Together with the MoJ and our partners, we are directly supporting the government’s plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places by 2031.

Our team at Mace are experts in delivering nationally significant major programmes, contributing to robust cities and places worldwide. We bring lessons learned from delivery across a wide range of central government programmes to drive exceptional outcomes for our clients, for local people and for national economies.

The name ‘Welland Oaks’ draws inspiration from the geography and history of the local area, and was chosen following extensive consultation with the local community. The prison will open in 2029 and be operated by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.

It is part of the £4.7 billion the Government is investing to deliver the largest expansion to the prison estate since the Victorian era, while a further £300 million will go towards vital building maintenance across prisons and the probation this financial year.

The prison building programme will work alongside the Sentencing Bill to ensure the most serious offenders can always be sent to prison to protect the public.