Skanska has added to its strong track record in building secure accommodation by completing the first of two house blocks for the Scottish Prison Service on schedule and within budget. The second is on course to complete ahead of schedule later this year.
The first prisoners are about to move into the self-contained 213-cell block for young offenders at HMYOI Polmont in Falkirk, while progress continues on a 226-cell self-contained house block at HMP Edinburgh.
Factors behind the successful delivery include the skills Skanska has brought from previous prison projects, such as use of extensive pre-fabrication and an integrated supply-chain, plus a close client/contractor relationship between the Scottish Prison Service and Skanska.
Senior project manager Gordon Gray says, “By pre-fabricating the cells, floor, wall and roof off-site and fitting them together on arrival, we have been able to build quicker, as well as enhance efficiency and end quality.
“We also have an experienced supply chain developed when we built five prisons on five years between 1996 and 2001. Their familiarity with our requirements means we don’t have to re-invent the wheel and this has provided important programme and costs benefits, along with our good client relationship with the client.”
Skanska’s recent track-record in UK prison building saw it build five in five years under the PFI for Premier Custodial Group, with the last one, HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire, finished two months early.