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As part of the Ministry of Justice’s small secure houseblocks (SSHB) alliance, Laing O’Rourke has been allocated the expansion of HMP Humber and HMP Ranby and has now started main works.

Each project will deliver 120 new prison places and at HMP Ranby it will include the creation of a new workshop inside the existing prison, while at HMP Humber it will include a new kitchen area.

HMP Humber is in Everthorpe on Humberside; HMP Ranby is near Retford in Nottinghamshire. Both are Category C men’s prisons.

The Alliance is made up of Laing O’Rourke, Kier, and Wates, with the three companies sharing best practice.

Last week Wates was awarded the £100m expansion of HMP Onley in Warwickshire. [See that report here.]

Laing O’Rourke did not disclose the costs of the Humber and Ranby works, but on the basis of Wates’ £100m costs for adding 180 new places HMP Onley, it is assumed to be in the region of £130m for the 240 places that Laing O’Rourke is putting in. 

Laing O’Rourke delivery director Martin Staehr said: “Moving into the main works is a big milestone for these projects and one we’re excited to reach. Each project will run for around 18 months and will rely heavily on modern methods of construction. We’ll use our experience in offsite manufacturing to provide greater certainty over the programme and quality of the product.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Kier and Wates to share best practice and help deliver new prison places for the Ministry of Justice.”

Fiona Parker, deputy director for the small secure houseblocks programme, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), said: “The expansion at HMP Humber and HMP Ranby marks a critical step forward in delivering modern, secure, and rehabilitative prison facilities as part of our wider commitment to increase prison capacity. The new houseblocks and supporting facilities will help ensure prisoners have the opportunity to develop skills that support their reintegration into society, ultimately helping to protect the public and reduce reoffending.”

HMP Humber is scheduled to complete early 2027 and HMP Ranby is due to complete in spring of that year.

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