The province has taken the next step toward replacing the 160-year-old Her Majesty’s Penitentiary in St. John’s.

Requests for proposals have been issued to three teams of companies shortlisted to design, build, finance and maintain the new prison. They include Avalon Corrections, East Coast Corrections and Harbour Justice Partners.

Their submissions are due one year from now, but site preparation will begin in the White Hills area of St. John’s prior to that, with actual construction slated to start in the spring of 2023 with completion by 2026.

Among other things, the new prison will include a detention centre to replace the downtown lockup as well as a specialized mental health unit.

Meanwhile, an $8-million contract has been awarded to expand the Labrador Correctional Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. That reno will create the option to house both male and female offenders, reducing the need for transfers to facilities on the island.