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Essex prison condemned for the ‘human misery within its rat-infested, violent, overcrowded’ walls

A PRISON in Essex has been condemned for the “sheer scale of human misery that lies within its rat-infested, violent, overcrowded” walls and for high levels of self-harm and suicide.

Conditions in HMP Chelmsford in Essex were so bad that HM Inspectorate of Prisons used special powers to give Justice Secretary Dominic Raab 28 days to take action.

In a report published today the inspectorate said: “HMP Chelmsford was found by inspectors to have experienced high levels of violence, self-inflicted death and self-harm.”

The report said “overcrowding, piled up rubbish and a persistent rat infestation” characterised the prison.

“Many of the 700 prisoners were locked up for nearly 23 hours a day and their access to purposeful activity, including work, training and education, was poor,” it said.

Inspectors found “a negative staff culture in the partly Victorian prison.

“Other very serious concerns included the inadequacy of the prison’s response to the high levels of suicide and self-harm, and the similarly deficient response to some of the highest levels of violence in the prison estate.”

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said: “The last time we were able to write a positive report about this prison was 10 years ago and it was clear to us that the jail was failing in its basic duty to keep those it held safe.”

Howard League for Penal Reform campaigns director Andrew Neilson said the report was “one of the worst prison inspection reports that we have seen in recent years.

“It is almost impossible to appreciate the sheer scale of human misery that lies within a rat-infested, violent, overcrowded prison, where hundreds of men are left to suffer in their cells for hours on end by disengaged and demoralised staff who show next to no concern for their needs.

“The only answer is to reduce the number of people held behind bars and take bold action to reshape a prison system which is failing prisoners, staff, and the country at large.”

Mr Raab said: “We’re giving intensive support to Chelmsford prison to raise standards, support staff and protect vulnerable prisoners. 

“We are providing more experienced staff, specialist training and refurbished facilities.

“We have a detailed action plan to help drive down violence, rehabilitate offenders, and reduce reoffending.”

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