In 1991, G4S won the first prison management contract to be operated by the private sector in the United Kingdom, and all of Europe.

G4S was the successful bidder for the contract to run HMP Wolds, however the jail was re-rolled again to a Category C training prison.

[1] On 13 July 2011, it was announced that HMP Wolds would be put out to tender in the autumn, accepting bids from private companies and HM Prison Service for the management of the establishment after the current contract with G4S expires.

[2] In November 2012 it was announced that the G4S contract would be allowed to expire in July 2013 and the prison would then revert to the public sector.

The regime at the prison included education (full-time, evening classes and residential college), workshops, gardens and a works department.