UK starts construction of first all-electric prison

The UK has started the construction of a prison running exclusively on electricity in an attempt to reduce energy costs and provide prisoners with relevant skills.

Published on the British government's official website, the new prison, the first of its kind, is set to generate 600 jobs and will be based in Full Sutton, East Yorkshire.

The capacity of the new facility, expected to open in 2025, will be 1,500 prisoners  "who will spend their time behind bars learning the skills they need to find work on release, as part of the government’s drive to cut re-offending and keep the public safe".

The British Minister for Prisons and Probation, Damian Hinds, stated, that the new prison will protect the public and the public purse, using the latest technology to cut energy costs.

Solar panels and heat pump technology will allow the facility to use 78% less energy than traditional prisons, resulting in an energy cost cut of over £1.1 million a year to taxpayers.