Owers expresses concern at use of force and segregation at Chelmsford

Chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers has expressed concern over
the increased use of force and segregation at Chelmsford prison and
young offender institution, in an inspection report published
today, writes Maria Ahmed.

The report, from an unannounced inspection in August last year,
found the number of incidents requiring the use of force “had
risen” since the last inspection.

It said that while the reasons “were not entirely
apparent,” force had been used on young prisoners following a
period of unrest in the young adult’s wing.

Inspectors also raised concerns over routine strip-searching of
inmates placed in segregation and the use of strip clothing for
those in the special cell.

The report found that some of the segregation unit policies
“were not acceptable,” but said these were changed
during the inspection.

Inspectors also found that purposeful activity time “fell
well short” of what was required, with many prisoners and
young adults spending 20 or more hours a day locked up in their
cells.

The report criticised “inaccurate” record-keeping of
the time inmates spent out of their cells which meant that managers
were not fully aware of the “inadequate” provision.

The prisons inspectorate also found that two immigration
detainees were being held without charge at Chelmsford following a
disturbance at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre.

Both detainees told inspectors their legal papers had been left
behind at Harmondsworth “aggravating their isolation and
uncertainty,” the report said.

The report recommended that immigration detainees should not be
held in prison, and said all cases of detention should be
“frequently reviewed”.

Report from
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/prisons/inspprisons/inspection.html

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