Britain’s largest prison is opening soon in Wellingborough and will include “airport-style security” to combat and clampdown on drugs.
Prisoners will undergo an addiction assessment when they arrive at HMP Five Wells to avoid the existence of drugs inside the prison.
Security will involve measures such as body scanners, narcotics sniffer dogs, and biometric identification to locate substances and halt their movement into prison that “scupper the work of frontline staff” in reforming offenders, according to the Ministry of Justice.
Carrying out searches of prison guards who are suspected to be smuggling drugs will also be discussed by the Ministry of Justice in hopes to unearth corrupt officers.
The Northamptonshire based prison, set to open in 2022, has been designed to have X-shaped wings. This shape offers shorter walkways when compared to prisons with the traditional K-shaped wings. Released images show spacious rooms and windows without bars that look out onto the scenic River Nene.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said of the Government’s Prisons Strategy White Paper: “This Government is delivering tougher sentences and 20,000 more prison places to keep the most dangerous criminals off our streets for longer.
“Prisons also need to play their part in cutting crime and preventing future victims. That is why with a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and more autonomy for governors to maintain good order, our reforms will clamp down on the causes of reoffending and make sure prison pays.”
In late 2020, security firm G4S won the contract to run HMP Five Wells, which is expected to focus on rehabilitating its housed 1,680 inmates.
The £253,000,000 build has taken place on the site of the demolished HM Prison Wellingborough.
Steve Reed, Shadow Justice Secretary, explained: “It’s no wonder that drug use among prisoners has soared in the last decade because the Conservatives have mismanaged our prisons, leading them to become awash with drugs, violence and disorder.
“Conservative incompetence cuts to the whole justice system and a lack of oversight of contracted companies has left prisons understaffed, dangerous and overcrowded universities of crime where drug addiction is rife and re-offending is commonplace.”
Earlier this year, HMP Five Wells collaborated with Jobcentre to offer 300 jobs working within the prison.
Find out more about the facility here.