Justice & MOJ Framework

The Ministry of Justice operates a construction framework. It delivers new-build, refurbishment, and fit-out projects across the justice estate — prisons, courts, immigration facilities, and secure training centres. Tier 1 contractors on the framework appoint specialist technical consultants to manage environmental assessments. However, the requirements placed on those consultants go beyond technical capability. Supply chain compliance, secure-site working experience, and continuity from design to certification all determine whether a consultancy is a viable partner on these schemes.

BREEAM New Construction is the standard environmental assessment applied across MOJ framework projects. The target rating is typically Outstanding — the highest available. This reflects the MOJ’s sustainability commitments and the requirements built into framework contracts.

Achieving Outstanding on a justice sector project is more demanding than on a comparable commercial scheme. Several BREEAM credits are straightforward on an open commercial site. In a custodial environment, however, they become logistically complex. Site visits for commissioning testing, air permeability testing, and thermographic surveys all require advance security clearance. They also require escorted access and coordination with the prison’s operational timetable. Credits that depend on occupant feedback — such as Post-Occupancy Evaluation — require careful handling. The nature of the building’s users demands a considered approach.

Acoustic performance is also a distinctive consideration. A Video Conferencing Centre within a working prison has specific requirements around speech privacy and sound separation. Furthermore, the noise environment in a custodial building bears little resemblance to a standard commercial office. This demands a more detailed acoustic design approach than standard BREEAM credits require.

MOJ framework contractors apply strict supply chain qualification requirements. Cyber Essentials certification is a common prerequisite for any organisation in the supply chain. It is the UK government’s baseline standard for cyber security. Build Energy holds Cyber Essentials certification. We actively maintain it to remain a qualified partner on government framework schemes.

Beyond certification, tier 1 contractors need consultants who can operate without hand-holding. Restricted access and unpredictable site availability create real programme risk. Site-dependent services — air tightness testing, commissioning, thermographic surveys, and IAQ testing — must be planned and executed efficiently. In addition, consultants must remain flexible when access windows change at short notice. This is a routine aspect of working in active custodial environments.

Build Energy is active on multiple MOJ framework schemes. We work within the supply chains of tier 1 contractors across the justice estate. Our role on each project spans from RIBA Stage 3 through to post-construction certification and post-occupancy evaluation. This continuity is what complex, multi-stage projects require.

Our current and recent MOJ framework projects include:

• HMP New Hall, Wakefield — new modular Video Conferencing Centre targeting BREEAM Outstanding, delivered within the supply chain of Wates Smartspace. Services: BREEAM consultancy and AP support, energy modelling, LCA, LCC, acoustic design, daylighting, thermal comfort, air permeability testing and consultancy, IAQ testing, thermographic survey, and commissioning testing.
• HMP Norwich — Video Conferencing Centre as part of the same nationwide MOJ/Wates Smartspace VCC programme. Full multi-disciplinary technical consultancy package targeting BREEAM Outstanding.
• HMP Wayland, Norfolk — new 247-place houseblock expansion targeting BREEAM Excellent, delivered within the supply chain of Wates Construction as part of the Accelerated Houseblocks Delivery Programme. Services: daylighting modelling and air tightness consultancy.
• HMP Exeter – New Visitors Building, Devon – new-build visitors centre at a Category B local prison targeting BREEAM Excellent under BREEAM New Construction 2018, delivered within the supply chain of Vinci Construction UK Ltd on behalf of HMPPS. Services: energy modelling, thermal comfort, indoor air quality plan and testing, acoustic report, commissioning stage services (Hea 05, Pol 05 & HMPPS), air permeability testing, and thermographic survey.

The HMP New Hall and HMP Norwich projects form part of Wates Smartspace’s nationwide programme of Video Conferencing Centres. This programme allows prisoners to attend court hearings by video link. As a result, the logistical, security, and welfare challenges of physical prisoner transport are significantly reduced. Build Energy is one of the consultancies embedded within that programme’s supply chain as a trusted, framework-qualified partner.

Our multi-disciplinary team covers the full range of technical services required on justice sector projects. Specifically, we provide:

• BREEAM Consultancy & Accredited Professional (AP) Support — credit strategy, design-stage assessment, third-party AP credits, and post-construction submission management
• Energy Modelling & Post-Occupancy Evaluation — operational energy assessment under Ene 01, and POE to verify performance against design predictions
• Life Cycle Assessment & Life Cycle Costing — Mat 01 LCA under BREEAM NC 2018, and LCC to support long-term value assessment
• Acoustic Design & Environmental Noise Assessment — environmental noise surveys and acoustic design reports at RIBA Stages 3 and 4, including speech privacy requirements specific to custodial buildings
• Daylighting & Thermal Comfort Analysis — Hea 01 daylighting assessments and Hea 04 thermal comfort modelling
• Air Permeability Testing & Consultancy — design-stage drawing reviews, on-site advisory visits, and post-construction commercial air pressure testing
• Indoor Air Quality Testing — Hea 02 IAQ testing, with experience of managing access in operational custodial environments
• Thermographic Survey — Man 04 thermal imaging to identify envelope defects and thermal bridging
• Commissioning Testing & Reporting — Hea 05 and Pol 05 commissioning at RIBA Stage 6

What BREEAM rating is typically required on MOJ framework projects?

Ministry of Justice construction framework projects typically target BREEAM Outstanding. This is the highest rating available under the BREEAM New Construction scheme. It reflects the MOJ’s sustainability commitments and the standards built into framework contracts. Outstanding is a demanding target on any project. Achieving it in a live custodial environment is more demanding still. It requires a consultancy that understands both the technical requirements and the practical constraints of working on a secure site.

Is Cyber Essentials certification required to work on MOJ framework projects?

Many tier 1 contractors on the MOJ construction framework require supply chain partners to hold Cyber Essentials certification. This is the UK government’s baseline cyber security standard. It is designed to protect sensitive project data and ensure supply chain integrity on public sector schemes. Build Energy holds Cyber Essentials certification. We maintain it on an ongoing basis to remain a qualified partner on MOJ and other government framework projects.

What makes justice sector BREEAM different from standard commercial projects?

Justice sector BREEAM assessments present practical challenges that are not typical on commercial schemes. Site-dependent services — air permeability testing, commissioning, thermographic surveys, and IAQ testing — all require advance security clearance and escorted access. Furthermore, they must be completed within access windows subject to operational constraints beyond the contractor’s control. Acoustic requirements are also more complex. This is particularly true in buildings designed for legal proceedings or video conferencing, where speech privacy is critical. Consultancies that have not worked in custodial environments often underestimate the logistical effort involved.

What is a BREEAM Accredited Professional and why does it matter on MOJ projects?

A BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) is an independently certified consultant. They are appointed to work alongside the project team from the earliest stages of design — typically from RIBA Stage 2 or 3. Their role is to integrate the BREEAM credit strategy into design decisions from the outset. This is more effective than retrofitting sustainability measures after design is complete. AP involvement is a prerequisite for certain BREEAM credits. On Outstanding-target MOJ schemes, AP involvement from Stage 3 is standard practice.

Can Build Energy provide continuity from design stage through to post-construction certification?

Yes — and on complex justice sector projects, that continuity is important. The same Build Energy team advises on credit strategy at RIBA Stage 3 and carries the project through to post-construction certification. We also provide post-occupancy evaluation. This approach avoids the information gaps that can occur when different consultants handle different stages. As a result, the tier 1 contractor has a single point of contact for all BREEAM and sustainability matters across the full project lifecycle.