Work on a new prison block has started.

HMP Elmley in Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey, will have space for an extra 250 inmates as part of a nationwide programme to grow the prison estate.

The building of the new T60 Houseblock will be completed by 2026 and have fully electric ancillary buildings and a new prisoner workshop.

The project has been appointed to Kier as part of the Ministry of Justice’s Accelerated Houseblocks Development Programme which is part of the government plan to make 20,000 new prison places.

The project is the first of the Kier and Wates alliance contract projects.

The X-shaped T60 Houseblock design supports the MoJ’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions through efficient design. It will be energy efficient and built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), with components manufactured off-site.

Anthony Irving, managing director of Kier Western & Wales said: "The commencement of HMP Elmley is a significant milestone for the MOJ’s Accelerated Houseblock Delivery Programme.

“The project will not only deliver additional prison places but improve the overall estate at HMP Elmley.

“The programme will also leave a legacy in the community through the use of regional supply chain partners and the creation of sustainable employment and learning opportunities for prison leavers”

The start of work at HMP Elmley follows the delivery of the site’s enabling works which were completed in January 2024. The project team for the main works includes MoJ, Kier, Mace, Gleeds, Wates, Baker Hicks and Pick Everard.

The prison is a Category B and C adult facility and is one of three for men that form the Sheppey Cluster, the other two being HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside.

In October, the Ministry of Justice triggered Operation Safeguard as HMP Elmley “reached capacity” with problems “all across the county”.