The Ministry of Justice confirmed on 14 September 2026 that HMP Lancaster Farms will receive 240 additional places, taking the prison’s total capacity from 584 to 824 – a rise of more than 40 %.
Capacity boost at Lancaster Farms
The expansion will be delivered through four new houseblocks, each equipped with modern security features such as reinforced windows. The new places bring the prison’s capacity to 824 places, up from 584 places before the works began.
Part of the largest post‑Victorian prison‑expansion programme
The increase is described by the Ministry as part of the largest prison‑expansion programme since the Victorian era. It sits within a broader government plan to add 14,000 extra prison spaces across the United Kingdom by 2031.
Ministerial comment on national delivery
Catherine McKinnell, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said the government has already delivered “more than 3,300 places” in just over two years. Her comment underscores the pace of the national rollout.
Timeline and next steps
The press release dated 14 September 2026 announced the expansion, with construction of the new houseblocks scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2026. Once finished, the additional capacity will be available for allocation to prisoners deemed high‑risk or requiring specialised management.
Key figures
| Metric | Value | Unit | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| New places at HMP Lancaster Farms | 240 | places | 2026 |
| Previous capacity | 584 | places | pre‑expansion 2026 |
| New total capacity | 824 | places | post‑expansion 2026 |
| Capacity increase | 40 | % | 2026 |
| National prison‑space target | 14,000 | places | by 2031 |
| Places delivered nationwide (last two years) | 3,300 | places | ~2024‑2026 |
What remains unknown
- The cost of the new houseblocks has not been disclosed.
- Details on staffing levels required for the additional places were not provided.
- The impact on local services and the broader prison estate beyond the national target is not quantified.
When the construction finishes at the end of 2026, the extra 240 places will be ready for allocation, helping the government move toward its 14,000‑place target and addressing the current shortage of prison space across the UK.