New high-security prison expected to add dozens of jobs

The new high-security prison at Stóra-Hraun is expected to employ dozens more people than the current prison at Litla-Hraun, where about 80 people work, mbl.is reports. Bragi Bjarnason, mayor of Árborg, said most staff at Litla-Hraun live in Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri and Selfoss, and many are expected to move to the new prison when it is ready.

Bjarnason said the municipality was pleased that construction had begun and that the number of jobs would grow. He said the area had a long history connected to Litla-Hraun, which would continue as the workplace expanded.

Planning for the new prison began in 2024, with a detailed zoning plan launched the following year. Bjarnason said the process had gone fairly well, although securing funding and deciding how to carry out the project took longer because of a change in government and other issues.

He said he had not been worried that the prison would not be built. He praised Justice Minister Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir for continuing and completing a project begun by former justice ministers Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir and Jón Gunnarsson.