Building the Future of Prisons: Innovation, Sustainability, and Rehabilitation
England and Wales are undergoing the largest prison expansion since the Victorian era, driven by rising capacity pressures and a commitment to transform correctional facilities for the 21st century. The UK Government’s £2.9bn investment is delivering 20,000 additional, modern prison places, with the New Prisons Programme at its core—combining cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and sustainable construction.
This session will showcase how four new prisons, including HMP Millsike (2025), are being delivered using modern methods of construction (MMC) to accelerate build times and reduce environmental impact. Delegates will gain insight into how these facilities are Net Zero-ready, all-electric, and designed to support rehabilitation through education, training, and family contact.
Technology is central to this transformation: prisons are fully Wi-Fi enabled, with secure in-cell tablets and telephony systems, while AI-driven security solutions enhance safety and operational efficiency. The presentation will feature visual fly-throughs and real-world examples, illustrating the journey from construction site to fully operational prison.
Attendees will learn how this programme balances capacity needs with sustainability and rehabilitation goals, setting a new global benchmark for correctional infrastructure. This is not just about building prisons—it’s about building opportunity, safety, and a future-focused system that reduces reoffending and protects communities.
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Nick Dann
Head of New Prisons Mobilisation, His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, United Kingdom
Nick has worked at most levels within the prison service from Prison Officer to Governing Governor. He has led two prison establishments including a category A high security prison with more than 800 staff. In 2017 Nick mobilised the fist public sector new prison in a generation in Wrexham, North Wales. Since then he has been the Head of Mobilisation for HMPPS, and specialises in the mobilising of prison construction projects through to full secure operation. He has now mobilised four prisons (C £1.6bn) and c7,000 prison places. The last three of the four prisons are privately operated and Nick was responsible for the full mobilisation of these high value (£500m+) operator contracts. Due to the high profile nature of the work he has had the highest level of exposure to government officials, such as the Lord Chancellor/Secretary of State for Justice.
