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<p>Creating additional space in the existing estate, alongside measures to limit prisoner
movement and releasing low-risk offenders, will help prevent our NHS being overwhelmed.</p><p>
</p><p>We began installing the first wave of 500 temporary, single occupancy cells
in the week commencing 6 April. So far, 300 units have now been delivered to eight
HMPPS sites and installation is in progress. The first 48 were installed at HMP North
Sea Camp and we have also installed 24 cells at both HMPs Highpoint and Hollesley
Bay. These are undergoing the final operational checks before being occupied. Installation
continues at HMPs Littlehey, Moorland/Lindholme, Wymott, Coldingley and Hatfield.</p><p>
</p><p>Our ambition is to secure and install 2000 additional cells to help contain
the spread of COVID-19 within our prisons. A further 80 single occupancy cells have
been confirmed to hire, bringing the total confirmed at 580. We are successfully working
with further companies to secure hundreds more to place across the prison estate.</p><p>
</p><p>These units are a temporary measure to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Prisoners
will return to their usual accommodation arrangements when safe to do so. Once the
units are no longer required they will be removed.</p>
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