Construction starts on 152 new prison places at HMP Kirklevington Grange near Yarm
Work is under way on 152 new prison places at HMP Kirklevington Grange, the open prison near Yarm, after a groundbreaking event on 10 September attended by prison leaders, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner's office and contractor Reds10.
The scheme is part of the Ministry of Justice's Rapid Deployment Cells Programme, which has already delivered more than 1,000 places across the prison estate, and sits within a national plan for 14,000 additional places by 2031.
Principal contractor, not just modular supplier
Kirklevington Grange is Reds10's largest Rapid Deployment Cells project so far, and the first where it is working as principal works contractor rather than only supplying the modular units. That means the company is responsible for new power infrastructure, utility connections, prisoner property storage and all associated site works, as well as the accommodation itself.
The buildings will be three two-storey accommodation blocks made up of 181 modules, with more than 85% of the fabric completed off-site. Supporting facilities include self-cook rooms, staff offices, laundry facilities and storage. Construction Management reports the site is currently in enabling works, service diversions and groundworks ahead of the modules being installed. Reds10 says the 150-plus places will be deployed by the end of 2027, while Construction Management puts completion at 2028.
Prisoners on release on temporary licence are working on the foundations and helping to manufacture units elsewhere in the programme, and three prison leavers are now employed permanently by Reds10.
What it means for local trades
Although most of the building is made in a factory, the site-based work is substantial and happens before and after the modules arrive. Foundations, drainage, service diversions, new power infrastructure and utility connections are all in Reds10's scope, which creates openings for groundworkers and builders with experience of working inside secure or operational sites, and for electricians and electrical contractors on supply, distribution and final connections.
Prison and other secure-estate work brings extra requirements, including vetting, site induction and tight access arrangements, so firms hoping to join the supply chain should have their compliance paperwork ready and approach Reds10 early. It also helps to be easy to find, so make sure your business is listed in the Teesside trade directory.