The £300m project will add 741 new category C prison places for the Ministry of Justice in three four-storey houseblocks.
It will increase capacity at HMP Highpoint, south of Newmarket, by more than 50%.
As well as these new houseblocks, the project will feature ancillary facilities including a healthcare building, a multipurpose workshop, additional kitchen space to service the whole prison, and upgrades to several existing buildings including the gym and gatehouse.
The project is using standardised designs to accelerate delivery and ensure completion by August 2027.
Wates regional managing director Phil Shortman said: “Through the construction of this project, around 2,000 building components have been crafted in Ministry of Justice workshops, providing meaningful employment opportunities, helping develop valuable skills and supporting brighter futures.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Ministry of Justice delivering additional prison capacity with a focus on rehabilitation, sustainability and social value for the local community.”
Wates’ supply chain includes SES, Moortown, Gallagher Group, Trident Electrical, Munnelly Group and HSH. Other stakeholders in the project are Mace, Pick Everard, Baker Hicks, Gleeds and Prism Offsite Manufacturing.
