Kier has been awarded a £683.8m contract by the Scottish Government to deliver a major new prison project that will provide a much-needed replacement for Scotland’s largest prison, the 143-year-old HMP Barlinnie.
The leading contractor will utilise its extensive experience within the justice sector to provide a high specification, safe and secure facility that is focused on reducing reoffending and creating a safe working environment for staff.
HMP Glasgow will have a capacity of 1344 and will be completed in 2028. Kier has been on site since October 2023 carrying out early works to remediate the complex brownfield site, which once housed a gas works, for the main construction process.
The use of this site, close to the centre of Glasgow, will see a disused parcel of land being put to good use, while bringing maximum economic benefit to the city through the use of local labour and businesses.
The existing HMP Barlinnie was constructed in 1880 and is in urgent need of replacement. The prison’s infrastructure was deemed not fit for purpose by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in a report released last year, a finding which it said “emphasised the importance of a new prison”.
The construction of HMP Glasgow will contribute £450m worth of economic benefits for the Glasgow community. This includes Kier’s ambition to create 100 new jobs during the construction, including 50 apprentices and 40 jobs for prison leavers through its Making Ground programme.
The team on the ground has already worked with over 1000 school children locally, engaging them in educational initiatives and encouraging students into careers in construction via apprenticeships and further education.
Kier aims to further support the local economy by committing to a 50% spend with local supply chain partners.
"It’s an honour to be awarded the contract to deliver this critical project. We will build a sustainable, state-of-the-art facility while ensuring that local communities, schools and charities directly benefit both now and in the future.
Using the latest techniques and modern methods of construction, we will harness the very best of our team’s significant experience in the justice sector to provide a high-quality, more efficient prison for Scotland which has rehabilitation at its core."
Rebecca Boundy, public sector director at Kier Construction
"HMP Glasgow is a bold vision for the future of our prisons that will help reduce reoffending and deliver a considerable economic boost for the city and beyond.
The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian age prison that is no longer fit for purpose. It will increase prison capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well as considerably improving staff working conditions."
Justice Secretary Angela Constance
"HMP Glasgow will have a transformative impact in how we support and rehabilitate people.
It is an investment in our staff, in those in our care, and in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole, as we work with our partners to improve people’s futures and together build safer communities.
I want to thank Scottish Government, for its continued support and investment, and everyone whose hard work has helped us reach this important milestone as we continue to develop a prison estate fit for the 21st century."
Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service
Kier has extensive experience delivering justice projects, including HMP Millsike in Yorkshire and the multi award-winning HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, both of which utilised an innovative houseblock design that was manufactured off site. HMP Glasgow was procured through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework.