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Canopies and Shelters For Prisons

Providing Shelter and Protection For Inmates, Visitors and Staff

Reacting to the changing landscape and the increased use of rapid deployment accommodation wings, Protect Canopies has created a range of covered walkways and canopies to provide sun and rain protection for both officers and prisoners. Our canopies work perfectly with the Bunkabin style accommodation units and can installed at the same time as these, or retrofitted. Large installations have already been completed at HMP Coldingley, HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Low Newton and HMP Moorlands with over 500m of covered walkways installed in 2023 alone.

Adding a canopy to your prison setting is a practical, cost-effective and essential addition. Offering weather protection, enhancing security and improving the overall operation efficiency, canopies are a long-term investment that benefits staff, inmates and visitors.

Like many other products, canopies are built with modern advancements in design and material, contributing to the functions of the environment as well as a sustainable and organised environment.

We are also an official supplier to Portakabin.

A typical 30-cabin wing takes just 5 days to install and can be fitted directly to an existing concert base (subject to survey) or using our unique ballast blocks. And lead times can be as short as just 6 weeks.

Protect Canopies has been a supplier to the HMPPS since 2020 and provides covered walkways connecting the wings together.  Working in all categories of prisons from HMP Coldingley in Surrey to HMP Kirklevington Grange in North Yorkshire.  In addition to supplying covered walkways, Protect has also designed and installed security check shelters, catering canopies and queuing canopies to keep prisoners, officers and visitors dry during movements or whilst waiting to enter the prison.

protect canopies for prisons HMP Sudbury

BESPOKE CANOPY SOLUTIONS

At Protect Canopies, we offer bespoke canopies for Prisons, Rapid Deployment Wings, and more; that can be positioned on any surface. Our team of designers, with over 25 years of design experience, can design canopies to specific sizes, shapes and configurations to suit your exact requirements, in any colour to suit any situation. All of our canopies are on fixed-price contracts, no surprise extra costs giving you complete peace of mind. Our knowledgeable team will work with you to create the perfect structure. As part of our service, we offer a free site visit and free CAD so you’ll be able to see exactly what you are buying before committing. Our customer service is often referred to in our 5 star Google ratings as it’s an integral part of who we are and what we offer.

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ADVANTAGES OF PRISON CANOPIES

Prison canopies offer numerous benefits, enhancing the functionality, security, and efficiency of the facility. Adding this type of structure to the prison is not just a practical addition; it addresses the unique challenges of prison environments.

  • Canopies provide the prison with shade in the summer, rain all year round, and shield from snow in the winter.
  • Outdoor spaces become usable throughout the year.
  • Create different areas for the inmates to engage in outdoor activities, promoting their physical and mental health.
  • Visitors are protected from the weather while waiting or visiting, enhancing their experience.
  • Provide comfort to your staff with a sheltered area for break times, boosting morale and reducing stress.
  • You can define zones to help organise outdoor logistics, deliveries and activities.
  • Canopies can be meeting areas, training zones, or equipment storage spots when needed.
  • Opt for solar-powered canopies to provide the prison with renewable energy, lowering bills and supporting sustainability goals.
  • Canopies can enhance the look of the prison building and outdoor areas.
  • Adaptable designs allow you to choose the size, shape, and materials to suit different facility needs.

Prison canopies are practical, cost-effective, and essential additions. These long-term structures can benefit the environment, inmates, visitors, and staff hugely. Your prison environment will be more sustainable and organised instantly.

HMP full sutton entrance canopy protect canopies
HMP Wealstun Covered Walkway
HMP Risely Shelter (3)
HMP Drakehall outside canopy protect canopies

HOW CAN PRISON CANOPIES BE USED

Prisons are split into various wings which can be separate buildings connected by covered walkways. Each wing may be further split into separate spurs and landings. The buildings can be of permanent construction or ‘rapid deployment’ using a Portakabin / Bunkabin style arrangement.

For some reason the ground floor is termed the “one’s”, the first floor the “two’s” and the second floor the “three’s”. Each wing will have a central office where the prison staff are based and there will be smaller offices located on each spur which will be manned 24/7. Movement by prisoners between spurs on a wing is restricted, and the prison will segregate as far as is possible vulnerable prisoners from the main prison population. Similarly, it will try to keep those prisoners who are keeping away from drugs away from those who are still addicted. It will not, however, segregate prisoners by reference to their crime (sex offenders excepted) so on your wing you will find a wide variety of people with different criminal pasts.

Prison canopies are highly versatile structures that serve a variety of purposes in the setting. Each canopy is designed to meet the unique demands of these environments, enhancing, functionality, improving safety, and contributing to a more efficient operation.

Outdoor Activity Areas

Canopies can provide shelter for outdoor activities, allowing inmates to engage with one another in the open space.

  • So many activities are covered by weather conditions.
  • Shaded spaces encourage group activities and positive interactions.
  • Everyone can use the outdoor space all year round and is protected from heavy rain or harsh sun.

Visiting Areas

Visitors can have more of a comfortable environment when arriving at the prison.

  • When visitors are queuing, waiting zones are protected from all weather conditions.
  • Shaded areas are created for family visits.
  • Add integrated features like seating or lighting to enhance functionality.

Walkways & Pathways

Providing covered walkways ensures a safe and comfortable movement between the buildings.

  • Canopies can provide the setting with clear pathways for finding each area easily.
  • Inmates and staff are shielded from rain, sun, or snow during transfers.
  • Add lighting to provide a well-lit walkway to improve visibility at night.

Logistics & Storage Areas

Canopies can be used to create efficient zones for operational needs in the prison setting.

  • Protect all equipment from weather damage.
  • Provide covered areas for deliveries or logistics operations.
  • Temporary canopies can provide protected areas for storage or emergency response.

Sheltered Staff Break Areas

Prison officers and staff benefit from dedicated, sheltered areas to relax and recharge during their shifts.

  • Outdoor covered areas offer a quiet retreat away from indoor environments.
  • Outdoor areas can double as meeting areas or training zones.
  • These covered areas make break times more enjoyable.

Prison canopies are invaluable assets that enhance the environment’s functionality, safety, and efficiency. Whatever they’re used for, canopy structures provide flexible and durable solutions to meet the diverse demands of prison settings. By investing in a well-thought-out design, prison canopies can benefit not only inmates but visitors and staff too.

HMP garth outside canopy protect canopies 2
Entrance Canopy HMP Downview
HMP Coldingley outdoor canopy protect canopies 3
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LEADING THE CANOPY REVOLUTION

NO GROUNDWORKS – Cheaper than traditional canopies

STRUCTURALLY TESTED to BS6399:Part requirement 2, approved for wind and snow loadings by independent structural engineers

NO HIDDEN COSTS – No costs for foundations and groundworks

INSTALLED IN HOURS – Not weeks!

SHORT LEAD TIME – From order to installation in just 10 days

Protect Canopies has revolutionised the way canopies are supplied and installed, saving you money, minimising disruption, and providing protection from the sun and rain much quicker and cheaper than you ever thought possible. Protect Canopies’ canopies do not need any building works, so there are no complex planning applications, no messy builders, and no damage or disruption to any land or building.

The range of covered canopies all have a Sunlite™ UV roof, a rust-proof and maintenance-free aluminium frame and surface sited concrete blocks which mean no need for any builders. As well as our stock sizes, we can tailor your canopy to fit your building, any size, to go on any surface and in any colour.

Prison and Custodial Canopy FAQs

Prison canopies are weather-protected structures and covered walkways installed across custodial sites to shelter inmates, officers and visitors during movements, exercise, visits and deliveries. As a trusted HMPPS supplier since 2020, Protect Canopies designs and installs prison canopies and covered walkways with no groundworks, certified to BS 6399: Part 2, and works in all categories of prison.

Are you an approved HMPPS canopy supplier?

Yes. Protect Canopies has supplied HMPPS since 2020 and has completed large installations at HMP Coldingley, HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Low Newton and HMP Moorland, including over 500m of covered walkways in a single year. We are also an official supplier to Portakabin.

Can canopies be installed on a live, secure prison site?

Yes. Our surface-mounted system needs no groundworks or heavy plant, so we install on secure sites with minimal disruption. A typical 30-cabin wing takes just 5 days to install, fitted to an existing concrete base (subject to survey) or using our ballast blocks.

Do your canopies suit rapid-deployment and Bunkabin accommodation wings?

Yes. Our canopies are designed to work with Bunkabin and Portakabin-style rapid-deployment units and can be installed at the same time as the units or retrofitted, connecting wings with covered walkways.

What security features can be added to a prison canopy?

We design with security in mind, including clear sightlines for CCTV and supervision, integrated lighting, and durable, vandal-resistant materials suited to high-security environments.

How quickly can a prison canopy be installed?

Lead times can be as short as 6 weeks, with a typical 30-cabin wing installed in just 5 days. We design and install covered walkways, security check shelters, catering canopies and queuing canopies across custodial sites.

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Our knowledgeable team will design & build the perfect shelter or canopy for your requirements. Contact us now for a no-obligation quote and design. If you’d like to discuss how we work give us a call on 01707 903804.

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