News

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