We welcome new Lord Chancellor to HMP Welland Oaks site
- Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice the Right Honourable Alex Norris MP visited the construction site for HMP Welland Oaks on 4 August 2026.
- The new Category B prison will provide over 1,700 prison places and support rehabilitation through education, training and employment facilities.
- Wates has worked with the Ministry of Justice for over 20 years and is delivering more than 3,500 modern prison places as part of the current building programme.
We welcomed the Lord Chancellor to Leicestershire to view progress on the new prison development at HMP Welland Oaks.
During the visit, the Lord Chancellor toured the site with Tim Wates, Chairman, alongside Linda Kennedy, Executive Director of Prison Supply at HMPPS.
Located alongside the existing HMP Gartree, HMP Welland Oaks will provide over 1,700 places in seven houseblocks. It forms part of the government’s plans to create 14,000 new prison places, aiming to do so by 2031.
Already the new prison is delivering social value and benefits for local communities. So far, 46 apprenticeships have been created on the site, while the project team has dedicated more than 1,200 volunteering hours to local schools, charities and community groups (figures to June 2026).
During the project, Wates and its supply chain will support at least 30 prisoners on a pathway to permanent employment, while 50 more will receive construction skills training to help them find work after release.
On completion, HMP Welland Oaks will provide a modern environment designed to support both security and rehabilitation. It will feature two large workshops and an education facility with 26 classrooms, helping prisoners gain the skills and confidence needed to support successful futures.
During the site tour, the Lord Chancellor met a trainee who has completed his training and has recently been promoted to section manager, as well as a prison leaver who is now permanently employed via our supply chain.
Discover how we’re working together to deliver modern prison places, support rehabilitation and employment opportunities
As a longstanding strategic partner to the Ministry of Justice, we’re proud to be helping deliver urgently needed prison places.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Lord Chancellor to the site to view the progress so far and discuss how HMP Welland Oaks can help individuals rebuild their lives – in both the construction phase and when it comes on stream.”
Tim Wates
Chairman, Wates Group
Welland Oaks is helping to modernise the prison estate, creating rehabilitative environments that support better outcomes for prisoners while protecting the public. Wates has played an important role in bringing that vision to life; their significant expertise and collaborative approach ensure we work together to solve problems and move the programme forward. From creating apprenticeships to helping prison leavers secure employment, Wates is ensuring this project leaves a lasting legacy for communities long after construction is complete.”
Linda Kennedy
Executive Director for Prison Supply at HMPPS
We have worked in partnership with the Ministry of Justice for more than 20 years, helping to deliver the Government’s vision of a modern, resilient and rehabilitation‑focused justice estate.
Our long‑term relationship is built on certainty of outcome across new build, expansion and refurbishment projects spanning prisons, probation facilities and courts.
We deliver large, politically sensitive programmes safely, on time and within budget, with no surprises for ministers, operators or local communities.
We are proud to be delivering high quality justice infrastructure that will leave a positive legacy across the UK’s estate for decades to come.
