Kier and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday 30 August, to mark the beginning of work on site at HMP Bullingdon, a Category B men’s prison near Bicester in Oxfordshire.
Construction has begun on a new fully electric, four-storey X-shaped T60 houseblock which will increase prison capacity to over 1300 – adding an additional 247 spaces. The houseblock will support the MoJ’s continued commitment to reducing carbon emissions through energy efficient design and is the latest iteration of the standardised design Kier has delivered.
It is the fifteenth houseblock that Kier has worked on following the successful build at HMP Five Wells, as well as the current build projects at HMP Millsike and HMP Elmley. It will be created using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), with components manufactured off site.
Kier will also build a workshop and a programmes building at HMP Bullingdon to equip prisoners with the skills and support they need to aid rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. The work will also include a two-storey admin building and a single storey extension to the physical recreation area.
"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 government. We will use our extensive experience and regional capabilities to deliver this project efficiently and sustainably."
Stuart Togwell, group managing director, Kier Construction
As part of Kier’s commitment to support local communities, the expansion of HMP Bullingdon will provide jobs for local people, including apprentices. It will also provide jobs for prison leavers through Kier’s Making Ground programme, which supports serving prisoners and prison leavers into sustainable employment in the construction industry.
The expansion of HMP Bullingdon is part of the Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme (AHDP) alliance contract which has been awarded to Kier and Wates. The alliance was procured via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework with Kier awarded the expansion projects at HMPs Bullingdon, Channings Wood and Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, where construction work is currently underway.