We mark construction progress on prison expansion at HMP Wayland
- Collaborating with the Ministry of Justice, we have marked a major milestone in the expansion of HMP Wayland with an official groundbreaking ceremony.
- The scheme will deliver a new house block providing space for 247 prisoners, alongside a 1,200-capacity kitchen, 66 additional education places, and a site-wide power upgrade.
- The project forms part of the Ministry of Justice’s Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme, increasing prison capacity across England.
We have marked key construction progress during the expansion of HMP Wayland in Norfolk with a groundbreaking event, alongside the Ministry of Justice and delivery partners.
Construction began on site in August 2025 and will deliver a new four-storey houseblock providing 247 additional prison places, alongside a new 1,200-capacity kitchen serving the entire prison.
To support employment pathways, the scheme includes tutor-led classroom sessions designed to help prisoners develop new skills, particularly in areas such as construction. This is complemented by a range of Industrial Workshops, with training opportunities leading to qualifications including CSCS cards and NVQs.
In addition, the provision of an all-weather sports pitch and dedicated outdoor exercise areas will support wider personal development, helping prisoners build routine skills ahead of their release.
The event this week included a speech from writer and actor Ric Renton, who reflected on his lived experience of the prison system and the role of rehabilitation. He spoke about the power of education, highlighting how access to learning opportunities can reshape futures, and shared how something as simple as receiving a dictionary while in segregation “changed his life.”
Catering was provided by Liberty Kitchen and Combat2Coffee, organisations dedicated to changing prisoners’ lives by slowing down the reoffending pathway through learning valuable skills in the transitional phase back into employment.
Experience the groundbreaking event in action
This expansion forms part of the Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme (AHDP) and the government’s wider initiative to create 14,000 additional prison places. The AHD Programme aims to boost capacity in existing prisons by adding over 2,800 places, using modern construction methods.
As part of its commitment to social value, Wates will employ 10 prison leavers through this project, both directly and through its supply chain, and provide structured support for at least six months to help ensure long-term outcomes. Alongside this, Wates is investing in skills, with more than 3,500 training hours delivered and 11 apprenticeships created. This commitment extends beyond the site, with 250 hours of volunteering delivered through community and charity partnerships and over 300 students engaged in education initiatives across local schools and colleges.
The new houseblock will be constructed using a standardised, multifaceted design with pre-manufactured components, enabling efficient delivery. The new building will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent or better, supporting the Ministry of Justice’s sustainability goals and reducing long-term operational costs.
HMP Wayland represents a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Justice to deliver modern, high-quality prison facilities. This expansion will provide much-needed additional capacity, while creating an environment that supports rehabilitation, skills development and long-term reintegration.
“The groundbreaking event was a powerful moment to reflect on the wider impact of this work, including hearing from Ric Renton, and the role organisations such as Liberty Kitchen and Combat4Coffee play in supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.”
Mark Craig
Managing Director for Wates Construction South
The expansion at Wayland will provide much-needed prisoner places in our region. The new accommodation will provide a safe and secure environment for us to rehabilitate prisoners and get them ready for release. We are pleased that the construction work has officially begun and we look forward to working with our contractors to get things delivered.”
Kevin Clark
Governor at HMP Wayland
