Site Of ‘Super-Prison’ Takes Shape

Work to build a new ‘super-prison’ near Market Harborough is progressing at pace.

An aerial photograph shows the extent of the groundworks on the site adjacent to HMP Gartree and how big the multi-million pound jail will be.

The site of the new prison adjacent to HMP Gartree Pic: Clive Mason

The Ministry of Justice began work last summer and the main construction of the prison will start later this year and take over four years.

It will include 14 buildings set within a secure perimeter fence.

The MoJ says the design of the buildings has been prepared in accordance with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service’s (HMPPS) strict technical standards to maintain the level of security needed for a Category B prison.

A spokesperson told HFM: “This Government inherited a prison system in crisis.

“We urgently need more prison places so we can keep locking up the most dangerous offenders and protect the public.

“We are preparing the site for main construction works to begin later this year.

“The new prison in Market Harborough will deliver 1,700 new prison places, create around 600 permanent jobs and inject millions into the local economy.”

The site of the new prison adjacent to HMP Gartree Pic: Clive Mason

Work by National Grid to lay new electricity cables to the prison site from the Lubenham area is also continuing.

There was strong opposition to the jail being built from residents in near-by villages and both Harborough District Council and a planning inspector refused to grant permission for it.

However, previous Secretary of State Michael Gove ruled the prison should go ahead.