HMP Five Wells is Britain’s biggest prison holding 1,680 inmates. A flagship, mega, category C jail, aimed to rehabilitate offenders with rooms flooded by natural light and barless windows. There are dedicated classrooms and workshops for ‘high quality academic and vocational learning’.

The new seven staggered cross-shaped buildings ensure that corridors are broken up into smaller zones, which enables staff to have more direct contact with inmates. They have been designed in this way to offer better use of outside space for sports and gardening facilities.

The aim of the programme was to modernise the prison estate to build a more efficient, safer and focused supporting rehabilitation for inmates.

KEIM paints were specified for the project due to it being recommended and applied at HMP Wrexham previously.

Dave Smith, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, was on hand to help during the entire decoration of the prison. Discussions were carried out with the contractor regarding VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), BREEAM and algae and fungal resistance.

In order to maintain a consistent colour, KEIM recommended that the precast concrete was painted. This provided both a cost effective solution for colouring the concrete as well as ensuring consistency of finish.

A training session was held by Dave & Nicola Young, Senior Colourist of KEIM, for the sub contractor to show them the application of the paint.

KEIM Concrete Cleaner and KEIM Soldalit-ME were specified to clean and decorate the concrete exterior of the housing, administration block, and the medical wing. KEIM Soldalit-ME has particular environmental benefits as it helps to degrade nitrogen oxide pollutants from the atmosphere, offering durable protection for years if not decades to come.