Chelmsford Prison rife with violence and self-harm, say inspectors

A rat-infested institution that’s rife with violence and where inmates are increasingly self-harming. That’s the finding of a damning report into Chelmsford Prison.

The report has been released just months after inspectors issued a rare, urgent warning. Its title, Violence and death in a declining prison,  encapsulates the issues.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab today promised improvements. But campaigners argue it’s just one example of many failings across the entire prison system.