Inspectors worried over prison racism

Race relations in Chelmsford prison and young offenders institution
need “urgent attention”, according to a report by the prisons
inspectorate published last week.

Chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers said there was a backlog of
racial complaints, no system of confidential access and a shocking
amount of racist graffiti.

Although the prison’s suicide monitoring and support systems were
commended, Owers said the inspectors were “very concerned by the
inadequacies in risk assessment for cell sharing on the first
night”. But she said recent improvements, such as better staff
morale, were valued. 

– Report at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmipris/hmipris.htm