- Chelmsford (HM Prison)
-
HMP Chelmsford Opened 1830 Management HM Prison Service Prison type Adult Male/Young Offenders Institution Prisoner figures 695 (December 2007) Location Chelmsford, Essex Governor Rob Davis Information www.justice.gov.uk HM Prison Chelmsford is a Category B men's prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in Chelmsford, Essex, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
Contents
History
Chelmsford Prison began as a county jail in 1830 before transforming into a Category B prison, a young person's prison, and a local prison. It was expanded in 1996.
In 1999 the management at Chelmsford Prison were severely criticised by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, after findings that staff were failing to respond to cell alarms five years after a prisoner was beaten to death by his cell-mate. The prison was also criticised for unacceptably bad conditions of cleanliness.[1] A further inspection a year later confirmed these failings at the prison.[2] In 2002, "conditions at Chelmsford...[were] condemned as 'poor and cramped' by the gaol's board of visitors."[3]
However in 2005, Chelmsford was praised in its inspection for improving standards and procedures for inmates at the prison.[4] This was confirmed a year later by the Independent Monitoring Board which praised the new management at the prison.[5]
On 25 December 2007, 18-year old Abdullah Hagar Idris hanged himself in the prison after he was told that he was going to be deported.[6]
The prison today
Chelmsford Prison accepts adult male prisoners and Young Offenders, convicted or on remand direct from courts within its local catchment area.
Education at the prison is contracted to Milton Keynes College, and courses offered include literacy, numeracy, information technology, art, barbering, journalism, cookery, ESOL as well as social and life programs. The prison's gym also offers physical education with industry related qualifications, as well as recreational gym.
In addition the prison has links to, and facilities provided by, organisations such as the Job Centre and the Samaritans.
Notable former inmates
In popular culture
- The 1979 film special of the TV series Porridge was filmed entirely on location at Chelmsford Prison.
- The punk rock band The Sex Pistols recorded a live album here called Live at Chelmsford Top Security Prison.[7]
References
- ^ "UK | Lessons not learnt at 'dreadful' jail". BBC News. 1999-03-09. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/293195.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "UK | Inspectors condemn 'sick' prison". BBC News. 2000-11-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1024511.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "UK | England | Visitors board criticises prison conditions". BBC News. 2002-12-03. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2541151.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "UK | England | Essex | Inspector praises improving jail". BBC News. 2005-01-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/4170649.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "UK | England | Essex | Praise for work to improve prison". BBC News. 2006-01-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/4663344.stm. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
- ^ "Criticism over death of teenager at Chelmsford prison." BBC. Wednesday 2 June 2010. Retrieved on 3 June 2010.
- ^ "Live at Chelmsford Top Security Prison: The Sex Pistols: Music". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000003BHB. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
External links
Coordinates: 51°44′09″N 0°29′11″E / 51.7359°N 0.4865°E
Prisons in the East of England Active Bedford · Blundeston · Bullwood Hall · Bure · Chelmsford · highpoint North · High Point South · Hollesley Bay · Littlehey · Norwich · Peterborough · The Mount · Warren Hill · Wayland · Whitemoor
Military Defunct Categories:- Category B prisons in England
- Young Offenders Institutions in England
- Prisons in Essex
- 1830 establishments in England
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
