Serco wins prisoner transportation contract

16th Mar 2011 15:34

Serco, the provider of outsourced services to the government, has won a contract to escort prisoners to and from jails and courts in London and the east of England.The contract, which was signed with the Ministry of Justice, is valued at £42m a year for seven years, with the possibility of being extended to 10 years. Serco will work with the logistics and distribution group Wincanton "to provide the safe, timely and secure transportation of prisoners between police stations, courts and HM prisons."Similar contracts for other parts of England and Wales were awarded to Geo Amey, a joint venture between US prison operator Geo and Amey, which is owned by Ferrovial, the Spanish owner of the UK airports operator BAA.The Ministry of Justice said the new arrangements will save the government more than £250m a year."By combining our custody services expertise and long experience with Wincanton's logistical capabilities, we have developed more efficient and innovative ways of working to deliver even better value," Serco chief executive Christopher Hyman said.