Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has been awarded the contract to design and build an extension to HMP Peterborough.

The original prison was designed and constructed by Interserve Construction under a PFI contract and opened in 2005. This new project for the Ministry of Justice is Government funded, and is being handled through the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), Peterborough Prison Management Limited.

Work has commenced on site, with completion scheduled for December 2014. HMP Peterborough is a privately operated category B prison, and is the only one in the UK to hold both male and female prisoners.


Interserve's new contract follows on from an Early Works contract, and comprises a new four-storey 292 bed adult male house block consisting of a mix of double and single cells, together with prisoner and staff facilities within a hub, plus adjacent exercise yards. A nearby new two storey activities building will include education and training facilities for prisoners.

Interserve will also deliver the provision of additional amenities within the existing prison to support the increased capacity, including exercise facilities, an extension to the main prison kitchen, a new staff dining room, further administration space and modification works within the entry building.

A new, extended prison wall, sterile zone and fencing will create the secure perimeter. Additional external car parking and landscaping will complete the scheme. The house block and activity building are being built on land adjoining the existing prison.

(CD/IT)