Assaults in prison double (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Assaults in prison double

7:30am Saturday 15th September 2012 in Local News

ASSAULTS in Chelmsford Prison have more than doubled over the past decade, according to a Government report.

The document compiled by the Ministry of Justice’s Inspectorate for Prisons states the number of reported incidents at the category B prison in 2011 was 268, up from 123 in 2001.

Also within the report the figure for the amount of inmate self harm cases shot up to 214 last year, rising from 142 in 2010.

Authors of the paper said the results were “concerning” for the institution which can house up to 700 .

The report said: “The prison’s approach to reducing violence had improved significantly but the number of recorded incidents of violent and antisocial behaviour, particularly among young adults, remained too high.”

The Prison Service, who oversee the running of the prison which is just off Springfield Road, said they do not tolerate violence in prisons of any form adding any incidents are taken seriously.

They also said more recent inspections has shown signs of improvement.

A spokesperson for the prison service said: “A recent inspection of HMP Chelmsford found that the number of violent incidents at the prison is falling and that arrangements to manage violent incidents in the prison are ‘excellent’.

“The prison is determined to build on this progress.

“Prisoners are also screened to identify any learning needs, including dyslexia, when they arrive at HMP Chelmsford so specific educational support can be put in place.

“This includes a scheme led by the Shannon Trust that trains prisoners to mentor prisoners with learning difficulties.”

The number of recorded assaults inside the prison had dropped to 54 cases in both 2007 and 2008.

This figure then shot up to 180 in 2009 and 210 in 2010.