MoJ unveils first rapid deployment cells to meet rising prison demand
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is rolling out 1,000 rapid deployment cells across the prison estate to boost jail capacity.
The first 48 units, which are designed to be quickly built to create extra space to meet the rising demand for prison places, have been unveiled at HMP Norwich
They are already taking their first prisoners, having been constructed and lifted into place just seven months after the signing of contracts.
It comes as work started on a £38 million renovation of HMP Norwich’s Elizabeth Fry wing, which the MoJ says will create more than 170 new jail cells by 2025, “delivering the long-term places needed to lock up dangerous offenders and keep the public safe”.
The rapid deployment cells are being rolled out at 18 prison sites across the country, the majority of which will be delivered this year, said the MoJ.
In addition, thousands of new jail places across the country will be created by expansions and renovations to existing prisons as part of the Government’s biggest expansion of prison places in more than a century
Minister for Prisons and Probation, Damian Hinds, said: “Prison cells protect the public by making sure we have enough space to put dangerous offenders behind bars – that’s why we’re investing £4 billion to deliver 20,000 extra places.
“We’re rolling out a thousand rapid deployment cells to create extra spaces quickly while we press ahead with the biggest expansion of prisons in over a century – building six new jails and creating thousands of additional cells by renovating and expanding existing sites.:
“The first rapid cells at HMP Norwich are already boosting capacity while our multi-million-pound renovation of the Elizabeth Fry wing will create long-term places to protect the public.”
The cells have a lifespan of around 15 years and are designed to quickly create extra capacity across the prison system estate to meet rising demand, while longer-term expansion is underway.
By creating extra space, the MoJ says the new rapid cells also aid the smooth running of prisons by giving governors more choice in how they manage prisoners day-to-day.