Building long-term relationships

Of all the sectors where co-operative working practices have delivered real savings in time and money for the client while simultaneously enhancing quality, there is probably no better example than the custodial market. Interserve first became significantly involved with prisons seven years ago when our consortium was awarded the PFI contract to design and build the 800-place HMP Forest Bank on the site of the old Agecroft power station. Since then this partnership has won several PFI contracts progressing further up the learning curve with each successive one:

- Harmondsworth immigration detention centre (a completely new development at the same location as the previous one)

- HMP Bronzefield at Ashford, Middlesex, opened in 2004, the first new women's prison to be built in the UK in over 30 years

 - HMP Peterborough, the country's first ever facility to accommodate both male and female inmates with 840 places - 480 male and 360 female. A mixture of single and double cells and women's acommodation which inlcudes a mother-and-baby unit.

- HMP Addiewell, West Lothian, this 700-place facility is expected to open in 2009. The prison will cater for a variety of male prisoners of all ages including those on remand as well as those who have been sentenced.

Among the key factors in this success story are the involvement of our operational partner deep in the design process, the stability both of our supply chain and of the client's team and our drive for making continual improvements in our construction methods.

The insights we have gained have proven invaluable in, for example, redesigning prison cells to maximise visibility, minimise opportunities for self-harm and reduce search times. And stability in our supply chain and of the client's team means we can make major time savings at all stages of procurement. As for our construction methods, we have been able to reduce project duration significantly by streamlining the production of cell blocks through structural innovations and using off-site prefabrication which allows just-in-time delivery to site.

For HM Prison Service (HMPS) and for Interserve the knowledge and skills earned through this experience are paying further dividends beyond the PFI arena. In 2004 we were appointed an Alliance Constructor for the New Build HMPS framework programme covering the whole of England and Wales. The programme will last for five years and covers works up to £20 million. This award was followed in early 2005 with the announcement that we had won a place on the companion framework programme involving refurbishment, alteration, extension, planned maintenance and minor works. It is likely that, in providing the country with much-needed custodial facilities through these two programmes, we shall generate around £200 million of turnover.

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