PCE appointed superstructure and façade specialist for HMP Lancaster Farms expansion

PCE has once again been appointed by Kier to deliver the superstructure and façade for the planned expansion of HMP Lancaster Farms in Lancaster. The Category C prison will gain four new two-storey houseblocks, built from 2,200 precision-engineered components manufactured offsite, creating an additional 240 places as part of the Ministry of Justice’s New Prison Programme.

This project represents the latest chapter in a long-standing collaboration between PCE and Kier, who have successfully partnered on HMP Five Wells, HMP Millsike, HMP Elmley, HMP Bullingdon, HMP Northumberland, and a series of other custodial and complex infrastructure schemes.

Secure Prison: Proven Platform-DfMA Delivery

PCE’s Secure Prison system uses an optimised Kit-of-Parts to bring speed, safety and certainty to prison construction. Each component is engineered and configured to project-specific requirements while maintaining consistent quality and security through Smart Connectivity (standardised connection interfaces).

Working closely with Kier, the client and the design team, PCE designs, details and manufactures each element offsite, seamlessly integrating security features and M&E services. PCE brings the flexibility to select the very best offsite specialists from its European supply-chain, ensuring the right manufacturing partners to achieve the ideal balance of quality, scale and cost control on a project-by-project basis.

Digital Transparency from Factory to Site

PCE’s use of Ynomia, an advanced digital construction platform, ensures every component is full track and traceability throughout its lifecycle. Real-time data—including QA records, engineering information and status updates—sits securely in one place, supporting Golden Thread compliance and enabling predictable, efficient, and well-coordinated just-in-time delivery.

Lower-Carbon, Future-Ready Construction

Insights from PCE’s Decarbonising Precast Concrete programme, developed with the MoJ and industry experts, continue to deliver measurable benefits. Compared with HMP Fosse Way, the approach has achieved a 12% reduction in embodied carbon—around 753 kg CO2e per prisoner place—while maintaining full structural performance.

Looking Ahead

PCE’s appointment at HMP Lancaster Farms highlights how advanced offsite manufacturing, digital oversight and carbon-conscious design combine to deliver secure, efficient and sustainable prison infrastructure—establishing a benchmark for the next generation of custodial facilities.

Images taken from different prison projects