Prison remains 'challenging' despite improvements

Improvements have been made at HMP Chelmsford but it remains a "challenging" place, an inspector says

A "challenging" prison with alarming levels of self-harm incidents has been praised for making improvements.

HMP Chelmsford had been transformed from its previous "state of near collapse" in 2021, an inspector said.

However, concerns persisted about an increase in the amount of prisoners self-harming at the Essex facility.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, visited the prison in January and February.

It followed a damning report published in 2021 that found it was "violent and rife with drugs".

Mr Taylor said the jail remained a "challenging" place but a "much happier, safer and more productive" one than previously.

His latest report found there was an 18% increase in reported incidents of self-harm, with 211 prisoners contributing to 1,021 occurrences.

The inspector said the prison was crowded and that 69% of the 684 inmates were sharing cells designed for one person.

Some prisoners had resorted to using bed sheets as makeshift screens as their cells lacked privacy curtains, the report outlined.

It added that the prison's segregation unit, where troubled inmates were isolated, was "very cold".

Some prisoners were having to use bed sheets as makeshift privacy screens when using the toilet, the report said

Mr Taylor said body-worn cameras had only been turned on during 406 of the 992 incidents where staff had to use force against prisoners.

He also said inmates who did not have a job at the facility were typically only allowed out of their cells for about two-and-a-half hours a day.

'Progress'

The inspector did offer praise to the prison for its successful efforts in reducing the amount of contraband smuggled inside its walls.

He said despite levels of support to the jail being reduced, governor Garry Newnes was "strong" and making progress.

Rubbish was strewn in window grilles when the inspector visited

Prisoners were safe and treated with respect upon arrival, Mr Taylor added.

"There is every sign that, with the current leadership, further progress will be made," he said.