§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contract has been let for the management of Blakenhurst prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydOn 5 December 1991 my right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary announced that tenders would be sought for the management of a new 649 place prison at Blakenhurst then under construction near Redditch in Hereford and Worcester.
On 15 June 1992. invitations to tender for the management of Blakenhurst were issued to nine contractors.
Today I am pleased to announce that the contract has been awarded to UK Detention Services Limited. UKDS 338W is a consortium comprising Corrections Corporation of America, John Mowlem & Company and Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons (Trade Investments) Ltd.
The success of UKDS follows detailed consideration of proposals submitted by seven potential contractors in response to the Home Office invitation to tender. There was keen competition to secure the contract and several excellent proposals were received. It was considered that UKDS had submitted well researched proposals underpinned by CCA's experience of running penal establishments in Australia and the USA, which offered value for money, and a high quality regime for prisoners. The quality of all proposals submitted has confirmed our view that the private sector has much to offer.
Blakenhurst is the first private sector local prison and is due to take its first prisoners in April 1993.