Owers questions force at Chelmsford

The chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers, has expressed
concern over greater use of force and segregation at Chelmsford
prison and young offender institution.

A report on an unannounced inspection in August 2004, published
last week, reveals a rise in the number of incidents requiring the
use of force. Although the reasons were “not entirely apparent”,
force had been used on young prisoners after unrest in the their
wing.

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

Some segregation unit policies were “not acceptable”, the report
adds, although these were changed during the inspection.

Inspection reports from
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/prisons/inspprisons/inspection.html

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