New 'green' prison to feature heat pumps, solar panels, and energy efficiency lighting that promise to slash publis sector energy bills
The government has taken another step towards opening the UK's first all-electric prison, which promises to cut energy use by 75 per cent compared to a Victorian-era prison.
The Ministry of Justice today confirmed it has signed a 10-year contract with Mitie Care & Custody to operate HMP Millsike, following a competitive and rigorous bidding process.
The contract will see the company deliver a range of services at the Category C prison in Yorkshire, including drug treatment and skills programmes that are designed to help reduce the risk of inmates reoffending.
The prison will hold 1,500 prisoners and represents the latest step in the government's plans to deliver 20,000 to a prison system that is facing chronic over-crowding.
It will also be the first prison in the UK to run solely on electricity, with heat provided using heat pumps and power generated on site using a series of solar arrays. The site will also use ultra-efficient LED lighting systems, which promise to curb energy use and bills.
The Ministry of Justice said the site would use "approximately a quarter of the energy used to heat traditional Victorian prisons".
"We are creating modern and secure prisons with rehabilitation at their heart so we can turn offenders lives around for good and cut crime and reoffending further," said Prisons Minister Edward Argar. "I look forward to seeing Mitie Care & Custody's innovative approach in action when HMP Millsike opens next year."
The project has already played a role in rehabilitation programmes with prisoners on day release learning key construction skills, as well as transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and organisation that will help them find jobs at the end of their time in prison.
Danny Spencer, managing director at Mitie Care & Custody, said: "As proud partners to the public sector, we are pleased to have been awarded this contract to operate HMP Millsike. With our experience delivering critical public services to support the immigration, justice and care sectors, as well as our expertise in facilities transformation and decarbonisation, we are excited to bring a modern and caring approach to prison management at this innovative new site."
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