Wates Group, one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies, and the Ministry of Justice have signed the main works order for an expansion project at HMP Wayland in Norfolk.
The project will deliver a new four-storey houseblock, providing 247 additional prison places, alongside a new 1,200-capacity kitchen serving the entire prison. The scheme also includes classrooms, a light industrial workshop, all weather sports pitch and exercise areas for outdoor activity as part of prisoner rehabilitation and skills development to help prison leavers gain future employment.
This expansion forms part of the government’s wider prison building programme aiming to create 14,000 additional places in total by 2031.
As part of its commitment to social value, Wates will employ ten prison leavers – directly and through its supply chain – supporting their transition into sustainable employment and the reduction of reoffending. Wates will also be upskilling prisoners and workers onsite through this project, creating ten apprenticeships and ensuring money spent in the supply chain is focused in the local area and with SMEs.
The new houseblock will be constructed using a standardised, multifaceted design with pre-manufactured components, enabling efficient delivery. The new building will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent or better, supporting the Ministry of Justice’s sustainability goals and reducing long-term operational costs.
Sachia Thompson, Deputy Director of the Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme at HMPPS, said: “We are pleased to announce the next step in our expansion plans at HMP Wayland and look forward to working closely with Wates over the next three years.
“It is important progress in our ambitious plans to increase capacity across the estate.”
Phil Shortman, Managing Director – MoJ at Wates, said: “Today’s announcement is another significant milestone in delivering the government’s prison building programme.
“At Wates, we are proud of the strong and enduring partnership we’ve built with the Ministry of Justice. Delivering additional prison capacity is essential, but it must be met with infrastructure that enables rehabilitation and upskilling. This project at HMP Wayland reflects our shared commitment to creating environments that support those in the prison system to build brighter futures, while delivering value and sustainability for the public sector.”
Other key partners in the delivery of the project are SES Engineering Services, SES Manufacturing, FP McCann and Aden Contracting. Design consultants include BakerHicks and Pick Everard. The project was procured via the CCS Framework.
Construction on the new houseblock is targeting completion by the end of 2028.
Additionally, Wates is delivering an on-site fire safety improvement project across the existing prison, valued at approximately £70m and scheduled for completion in February 2029.