Ministry of Justice, Prisons & Secure Environments

Marshdale Construction Ltd is a trusted partner to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS), delivering complex construction, refurbishment and infrastructure projects across the UK custodial estate. From Category A high-security prisons to Category D open facilities, youth offender institutions, probation services and courts, our teams bring specialist clearances, rigorous planning, and deep knowledge of custodial construction standards to ensure projects are delivered safely, securely, and without disruption to daily operations.

Our Role in the Justice Sector

Marshdale has been working within the justice and secure environments sector since 2018, building a strong reputation for delivery, compliance and reliability. We understand the pressures faced by the MoJ and HMPPS in modernising and maintaining the secure estate, and we tailor our services to meet these unique challenges.

Our staff hold specialist clearances from Enhanced Level 2 to CTC, and several have previously been certified to draw keys and act as escorts in support of works. This provides Marshdale with the flexibility to operate efficiently within secure sites, reducing reliance on operational staff and ensuring that our projects are delivered without delay. Every scheme is planned and executed in alignment with HMPPS and NOMS construction standards, including full adherence to the 420-series security requirements. We work hand-in-hand with Operational Support Grades (OSGs) and site escort teams to coordinate activities, safeguard security, and ensure that works are fully integrated into the operational environment.

Our Expertise

• New build and extensions within secure perimeters.
• Refurbishment and reconfiguration of visits suites, staff facilities, interview rooms, welfare areas, and segregation units.
• Infrastructure enabling works for HV/LV systems, generators, fire mains and critical mechanical & electrical systems.
• Civils and enabling works within highly restricted areas, including sterile zones, aprons and secure access points.
• Technology-led solutions, including video conferencing suites, secure glazing, and digital infrastructure.

Case Studies

• HMP Long Lartin – Infrastructure enabling works for new HV, LV and fire main systems, including internal plant rooms and generators. Partnered with ISG to deliver a new secure access gate, cutting through the prison wall to create a second entrance for vital works. Package included civils, demolition of the old modular security centre, and construction of the new facility.
• HMP Berwyn – Civils, enabling works and route works for a new Waste Management Unit, followed by direct award of the design and delivery of a new infrastructure solution for ageing CT mains, including purpose-built chambers and valve sets.
• HMP Preston – Full construction of a new visits area, including closed visits and video conferencing suites, designed and delivered to HMPPS custodial and security standards.
• HMP Birmingham – Construction of new video conferencing suites, visits areas, closed visits, staff welfare, interview rooms and solicitor meeting spaces. Supported ISG with a new Waste Management Unit in the sterile area and provided enabling works for a proposed houseblock redevelopment.
• HMP Lincoln – Extensive pre-construction surveys (GNSS, visual, CAD integration) to validate client design proposals, identifying flaws that would have posed operational risks. Refurbished and reconfigured the Care and Separation Unit (SEG) to HMPPS standards.
• HMP Thorn Cross – Designed and delivered one of the first timber-framed buildings in the justice sector, providing a new offender management unit to BREEAM Excellent standards in a Category D environment.
• HMP Leicester – Civils and enabling works to support a fire safety upgrade, including misting systems, new package plant rooms and critical power resilience solutions.
• Coventry Courts – Refurbishment and reconfiguration of the main reception and other secure areas, including new glazing systems and security upgrades.
• Staffordshire Police – Police level 2 security clearance enabled delivery of works in custodial areas, including design and installation of a new roofing system for custodial exercise yards at Watling Street police station.

Our Commitment

Marshdale’s long-term involvement in justice projects reflects our ability to work flexibly within high-security environments, adapt to the operational needs of prisons and courts, and deliver solutions that are robust, compliant and sustainable. Our knowledge of prison design standards, life-safety infrastructure, and security protocols — combined with our experienced, security-cleared workforce — makes Marshdale a trusted delivery partner for some of the most complex projects within the UK custodial estate.

From major infrastructure programmes to specialist refurbishments and technology-enabled solutions, Marshdale continues to support the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS in creating secure, safe and resilient facilities for the future.