New HMP Millsike Jail to Slash Bills and Boost Local Jobs
HMP Millsike, the new prison set opposite HMP Full Sutton, takes its name from the nearby Millsike Beck river, grounding it firmly in the local community.
Green Tech Cuts Energy Bills by Over £1 Million a Year
Making UK history, HMP Millsike will run entirely on electricity. Thanks to solar panels and heat pump tech, it uses just a quarter of the energy needed to heat old-school Victorian jails like HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
This eco-friendly setup saves taxpayers more than £1 million annually, protecting both the public and the public purse.
Prisons Minister Hails Game-Changer
“Naming this site puts us one step closer to our new prison playing its vital role in protecting the public and cutting crime,” said Prisons Minister Damian Hinds.
“This is a vital advancement towards our goal of creating 20,000 modern, innovative places.”
500 Jobs and Local Economy Boost
The project is a win for the local economy, promising over 500 new prison jobs plus hundreds more during construction. More than 40% of the building contracts go to businesses within 50 miles, keeping the cash close to home.
Contractor Kier is also making waves by employing around 50 ex-offenders, helping them find meaningful work and ditch crime before the prison even opens.
Part of a Bigger Prison Revolution
This announcement follows the 2023 launch of HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough — Britain’s first ‘smart’ prison. Meanwhile, HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire is gearing up to open this spring with 1,700 new places.
All form part of the government’s bold plan to build 20,000 modern, rehab-focused prison places nationwide, detailed in last year’s Prisons Strategy White Paper.
