A major expansion at HMP Highpoint in Suffolk will see the prison become the largest public sector jail in the UK, as part of the government’s efforts to increase prison capacity and improve public safety.
700 New Prison Places by 2027
Three four-storey houseblocks will be constructed at HMP Highpoint, boosting its capacity by over 50%. The expansion is expected to be completed by summer 2027 and will provide new workshops and teaching facilities to help rehabilitate inmates by equipping them with employment skills for life after prison.
The project is part of the government’s wider plan to create 14,000 extra prison places by 2031, ensuring that dangerous offenders are kept off the streets.
Government Commitment to Public Safety
Lord James Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation, and Reducing Reoffending, emphasized the importance of the expansion:
“This government is fixing the broken prison system it inherited—wasting no time in getting shovels in the ground to deliver the spaces needed to protect the public.
These new houseblocks have been designed with a laser focus on cutting crime and are a major step in our plan to deliver 14,000 more prison places by 2031.
But we cannot simply build our way out of this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can lock up dangerous offenders, cut crime, and make our streets safer.”
HMP Highpoint Governor Welcomes Expansion
HMP Highpoint’s Governor, Nigel Smith, echoed this sentiment, stating:
“The expansion at Highpoint will provide much-needed prisoner places in our region.
The new accommodation will create a safe and secure environment for us to rehabilitate prisoners and get them ready for release. We are pleased that the construction work has officially begun and look forward to working with our contractors to get things delivered.”
Economic and Community Benefits
The construction, led by Wates Group, will bring a significant economic boost to East Anglia, creating hundreds of jobs during construction and over 200 permanent jobs at the prison once completed.
Additionally:
- 30% of materials and subcontractors will come from within a 50-mile radius, supporting local businesses.
- 2,000 prison-made building components will be used in the construction, providing offenders with valuable employment experience to aid rehabilitation.
Phil Shortman, Regional Managing Director at Wates Group, emphasized the broader benefits:
“We are proud to be involved in this major programme of delivering much-needed prison spaces. This project not only expands capacity but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for offenders, equipping them with valuable skills for their future.”
Part of a Wider Prison Expansion Strategy
The £2.3 billion investment in prison expansion includes:
- 6,400 new places through houseblocks like those at Highpoint
- 6,500 new places via the construction of new prisons
- 1,500-capacity HMP Millsike in Yorkshire, set to open in the coming weeks
- 1,000 rapid deployment cells being introduced across the system
- £500 million for maintenance and refurbishment of existing facilities
Ensuring Public Safety
This 10-year strategy, launched in December 2024, will work alongside the Independent Sentencing Review to ensure that the most serious offenders remain behind bars while also tackling reoffending rates through rehabilitation programs.
With HMP Highpoint set to become the largest public sector prison in the UK, the government continues to push forward its commitment to crime reduction and community safety.
