The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling)
On 17 January 2014, I informed the House of the Government’s plans to put education at the heart of detention and launch the first purpose-built secure college in the east midlands in 2017. The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which will create the statutory framework for secure colleges, is currently before this House.
A pathfinder secure college will open in April 2017, which will have a strong focus on the education and rehabilitation of young offenders, equipping them with the skills, qualifications and self-discipline they need to turn away from crime and fulfil their potential.
The Ministry of Justice has selected a preferred provider to design and build the pathfinder. A competition has taken place under the Ministry of Justice’s strategic alliance agreement framework and Wates has been selected. The Ministry of Justice will enter into a project partnering agreement with Wates and work with them to develop the design for the pathfinder.
A competition for an operator to run the pathfinder will commence in 2015.