Mace leads completion of HMP Fosse Way prison

Mace, the international consultancy and construction company, has led the delivery to completion of the HMP Fosse Way prison for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Mace is the MoJ’s Delivery Partner for the new site, a Category ‘C’ resettlement prison near Leicester and part of the UK government’s commitment to build 20,000 modern prison places.

Driving continuous improvements as Delivery Partner, Mace led a transformative approach, combining modern methods of construction and digital delivery to optimise the schedule and meet challenging deadlines. Building Information Modelling (BIM) was at the heart of this approach, underpinning all aspects of the programme from inception to operation.

Overseeing the entirety of the MoJ’s New Prisons Programme, Mace has been able to implement incremental design improvements, with emphasis on repeatable designs that can be delivered at speed. While maintaining the same overall footprint as HMP Five Wells, delivered in 2022, Mace introduced an additional 86 informal meeting rooms across the houseblocks compared to the previous implementation.

Utilising a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) approach, Mace implemented offsite manufacturing on the project to ensure efficient and quick delivery. This included 12,701 pre-cast panels, with 1,764 under floor heating mats built into floor panels, as well as 231 prefabricated 4-storey structures lowered into place in one piece.

Delivering social value and creating positive outcomes for the local area has been a key consideration as part of the delivery of HMP Fosse Way. The project has created 500 jobs, of which at least 71 are former prisoners, with a 68% local spend within 50 miles of the site. In addition, delivery of the prison included 37% spend with small and medium businesses and 30% employment within 25 miles of the site.

Mace is supporting the MoJ to make the prisons programme as sustainable and resilient as possible by introducing energy saving technology such as environmentally friendly heat pumps and electric car charging points. Mace is using its expertise in developing innovative low carbon solutions to work alongside the MoJ and reduce CO2 emissions by 280,000 tonnes; cut energy costs by £100m; and deliver safe and secure net zero carbon prisons.

James Smith, Programme Director for New Prisons, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), said:

“The delivery of HMP Fosse Way is a brilliant example of collaborating across industries to deliver the great outcomes we need to supercharge our prison infrastructure. Building and mobilising a prison in the context of the challenges in the construction industry over the last few years, and with the driver of the significant capacity pressures in prison estate, is no easy task. The successful delivery of the new prison has been recognised across HMPPS and Mace played a crucial role in this achievement.”

Jason Millett, CEO for Consult at Mace, said:

“The delivery of HMP Fosse Way is a shining example of how modern methods of construction and smart, repeatable design can deliver major complex programmes and pace. The achievements of our partnership with the MoJ mark a key milestone for the New Prisons Programme. We are leading the way in transforming how major projects are delivered effectively and look forward to continuing our great work with the MoJ.”