A closed-category female prison located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The project involved the demolition of an outdated modular facility and the construction of a larger, fit for use building reimagined to meet the complex demands of a live prison environment.
At the heart of this project was the goal of improving the wellbeing of prisoners. The VCC allows inmates to attend court hearings via video link without the need to leave the prison, reducing logistical challenges and improving security. More importantly, minimising the stress and trauma often associated with physical transport to court.
The internal layout has been carefully designed to enhance functionality, including four secure video conferencing suites, one of which is fully accessible, along with a parole hearing room that replicates a traditional courtroom setting. Additional spaces include a central operations suite, staff work areas, toilets, kitchenette, data room, holding rooms, family visitation areas, and accessible washrooms. The new structure is 50 percent larger than the previous facility, offering a more comfortable and spacious environment for both staff and prisoners.
This project marked a milestone as Wates Smartspace’s first modular VCC build. Seven bespoke modules were constructed offsite and transported to the prison. This modular approach allowed offsite construction to progress in parallel with demolition and groundworks on site, significantly reducing overall build time by around 18 weeks.
Working within a secure prison environment presented additional logistical challenges, particularly regarding delivery restrictions and working around the day-to-day operations of the prison. The modular approach helped minimise disruption by reducing the number of site deliveries – a crucial advantage in a high-security setting. The project demonstrated the efficiency, precision, and programme benefits of modern methods of construction in challenging live environments.
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Delivering a project of this scale and complexity within a live prison required exceptional collaboration. Maintaining strong relationships with prison staff was essential, as their coordination and cooperation were vital to enabling access and ensuring security. The concurrent management of offsite construction and onsite activity required meticulous planning and daily coordination across teams. Despite these challenges, the project was delivered on time and to the client’s satisfaction.
“I really appreciate the collaboration throughout, it’s clear that the team’s input and collaboration efforts played an instrumental role in helping the project to run as smoothly and successfully as it did. Your attention to detail and proactive approach ensured that key milestones were met and the project remained on track throughout.”
Cheryl Moore – OPVC Operational Support Lead, HM Prison and Probation Service
Sustainability played a central role in the design and delivery of the VCC. The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding certification, reflecting its exceptional environmental performance. In addition, the project delivered a biodiversity net gain by transforming a previously grassed area outside the prison into a wildflower meadow. Bat and bird boxes were also installed to support local wildlife and enhance the site’s ecological value.
As part of our ongoing commitment to reimagining places for people to thrive, the project supported the development of six apprentices, offering them valuable hands-on experience across various roles within the project and supply chain.
We also delivered a presentation attended by 28 students. While the session focused on the construction industry, we also explored transferable skills and provided general career advice. This helped broaden the students’ understanding of potential career pathways and encouraged them to consider opportunities both within and beyond the construction sector.
The completion of the HMP New Hall VCC showcases how smart design and modular construction can create high-performing, human-centred facilities within complex operational environments. This project not only meets the functional and security needs of the prison service but also demonstrates a clear commitment to supporting prisoner wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation.
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