Modular building solutions brand Algeco has been awarded a framework contract totalling £21.9m to supply secure units to the UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
Wave 1 of the CCS framework (current framework RM6014) involves the supply of 396 units across several locations including at HMP Norwich in Norfolk.
Wave 2a is valued at £11.9m and requires the supply of 215 units across further locations.
The Rapid Deployment Cells Project requires Algeco to provide ‘safe and decent accommodation’.
The contract has been signed with the option to order further units.
Algeco’s Cannock facility will manufacture the cells utilising DFMA (design for manufacturing and assembly) and lean manufacturing techniques.
The company will install and commission a variety of units including sleeper accommodation, accessible accommodation, and ancillary units at multiple locations around the country.
MoJ has secured funding to design and build 1,000 additional temporary prison places, the majority of which will be delivered in 2023.
The Rapid Deployment Cells Project was initiated to create a new design that can be quickly deployed to a variety of sites to help meet the short-term demands of the prison estate.
‘A very high standard’
Minister for Prisons and Probation Damian Hinds said: “Prison cells protect the public by making sure we have enough space to put dangerous offenders behind bars – that’s why we’re investing £4bn to deliver 20,000 extra places.
“We’re rolling out a thousand Rapid Deployment Cells to create extra spaces quickly while we press ahead with the biggest expansion of prisons in over a century – building six new jails and creating thousands of additional cells by renovating and expanding existing sites.”
He added: “The first rapid cells at HMP Norwich are already boosting capacity while our multi-million-pound renovation of the Elizabeth Fry wing will create long-term places to protect the public.”
James Withey, managing director at Algeco Offsite, said: “Utilizing DFMA and Lean Manufacturing, along with our platform based approach, will deliver high-quality units across these multiple locations.
“The temporary accommodation we have already supplied to the Ministry of Justice was to a very high standard, which we will continue with these longer-term structures.”
The Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) £10bn Offsite Construction Solutions Framework aims to promote modular design in a drive to cut costs and help providers meet carbon-net-zero targets.
Algeco UK Ltd is part of Europe-based Modulaire Group.
Image: Algeco prison modules
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