黑洞社区

The Ministry of Justice has opened up negotiations with Laing O鈥橰ourke about carrying out failed contractor ISG鈥檚 new build prison scheme in Buckinghamshire, 黑洞社区 understands.

Along with Kier, Laing O鈥橰ourke and Wates, ISG was one of four firms appointed to the New Prisons Programme 鈥� which the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) refers to as the Alliance 鈥� that is intended to create 6,000 new places.

But ISG鈥檚 collapse into administration last month has meant that its appointment to build a 1,500 space category C 鈥渞esettlement鈥� jail near Aylesbury, next to the existing category B Grendon and category D Springhill prisons, will need to be carried out by another contractor.

黑洞社区 understands the MoJ has begun talks with Laing O鈥橰ourke about picking up the work 鈥� although negotiations are in their early days with conversations having only started in the past week or so.

An MoJ spokesperson said: 鈥淲e have robust contingency plans in place following ISG鈥檚 administration and are in advanced discussions with the Alliance to ensure the delivery of new prison places.

鈥淎s part of our long-term strategy to increase prison capacity, we are working hard to ensure these projects are completed as quickly as possible to ease pressure on the prison estate.鈥�

Laing O鈥橰ourke declined to comment.

Kier, which built HMP Five Wells at Wellingborough, has been building HMP Millsike near York, which is due to open next year, while Wates will build a new category B at HMP Gartree in Leicestershire for 拢300m.

Laing O鈥橰ourke is also set to build a 1,700 space prison at Chorley in Lancashire, which has been held up by as series of planning wrangles.

ISG鈥檚 implosion has stalled some other smaller prison projects but the MoJ has been working to bring in alternatives and has been speaking to administrator EY about mitigating delays to jobs.

The MoJ is due to publish a 10-year prison capacity strategy before the end of the year, outlining steps to increase accommodation and reduce pressure on the prison estate.