HM Prison Chelmsford
Governor Gary Newnes | | |
Website | Chelmsford at justice.gov.uk |
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HM Prison Chelmsford is a
History
Chelmsford Prison began as a county jail in 1825 before transforming into a
The prison's main entrance was originally through an austere stone-built porter's lodge in the middle of the Springfield Road frontage. The lodge's flat roof was designed to support the gallows scaffold and drop, while the forecourt could easily accommodate the hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of spectators that would congregate for an execution.[citation needed]
Originally called Springfield Prison, from 1825 to the end of 1914 43 people were hanged.[citation needed]
The first 'private' execution at Springfield was that of Michael Campbell on 24th April 1871. The 28 year old Berwick born tailor and former soldier was convicted of murder of Samuel Galloway (49), a retired dock worker in Stratford.[citation needed]
The oldest man to be hanged in the 20th century in Britain was 71 year old German born grocer Charles Fremd who was executed on 4th November 1914 for murdering his wife at Leytonstone. She was found dead from a cut throat. Her husband was beside her with only a minor self-inflicted wound. As Fremd was dropped he caught and bruised his head on the trap door. Shortly after Fremd's death the prison was taken over by the army for use as a military gaol, and after it reverted to civilian use in 1931 there were no further executions Thus, the oldest man was also the last man to feel the noose around his neck at Springfield Prison. [citation needed]
In 1999 the management at Chelmsford Prison were severely criticised by the
However, in 2005, Chelmsford was praised in its inspection for improving standards and procedures for inmates at the prison.
On 25 December 2007, 18-year-old Abdullah Hagar Idris hanged himself in the prison after he was told that he was going to be deported.[6]
In January 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced that older parts of Chelmsford prison will close, with a reduction of 132 places at the gaol.[7]
In December 2015 a riot lead to six members of staff needing hospital treatment.[8]
The prison today
Chelmsford Prison accepts adult male prisoners and Young Offenders, convicted or on remand direct from courts within its local catchment area.
Education at the prison is contracted to
In addition, the prison has links to, and facilities provided by, organisations such as the
Staffing at the prison has been reduced by 25%.
There is insufficient secure mental health accommodation outside’ the prison for the most vulnerable inmates. The
Following the death of a vulnerable inmate in January 2017 and criticism by the Prison Ombudsman, Care UK announced it would end its healthcare contract there as the level of resource the prison service made available was insufficient.[13]
Drug use is a serious problem at HMP Chelmsford according to
Notable inmates
- In 1990 former professional footballer Tony Adams spent 57 days of a four month sentence in HMP Chelmsford for drink-driving.[16]
- Stephen Bear, reality TV personality[17]
- Alfred George Hinds
- Pat Terrence Tate, drug dealer linked to Essex murders
- Ian Wright, former footballer
In popular culture
- The 1979 film Porridge (a film version of the Porridge TV series) was filmed almost entirely on location at Chelmsford Prison in freezing conditions in January 1979. The prison was unoccupied at the time because it was being refurbished after a fire in one of the wings.
- The punk rock band The Sex Pistols recorded a live album here called Live at Chelmsford Top Security Prison.[18]
- Featured in TV Series Luther[citation needed]
References
- ^ "UK | Lessons not learnt at 'dreadful' jail". BBC News. 9 March 1999. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "UK | Inspectors condemn 'sick' prison". BBC News. 15 November 2000. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "UK | England | Visitors board criticises prison conditions". BBC News. 3 December 2002. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "UK | England | Essex | Inspector praises improving jail". BBC News. 13 January 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "UK | England | Essex | Praise for work to improve prison". BBC News. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "Criticism over death of teenager at Chelmsford prison." BBC. Wednesday 2 June 2010. Retrieved on 3 June 2010.
- ^ Danny Shaw (10 January 2013). "BBC News - Seven prison closures in England announced". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ Prison riot in Chelmsford puts staff in hospital BBC
- ^ Chelmsford Prison suicidal inmate's treatment 'despicable' say family
- ^ Britain’s prison suicide crisis: ‘There’s no political will. Dead prisoners do not win votes’ The Guardian
- ^ Violence at Chelmsford Prison has 'increased sharply' BBC
- ^ Prison officers and prisoners at risk as Chelmsford Prison struggles to cope
- ^ "Dean Saunders death: Prison ombudsman finds 'weaknesses'". BBC News. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ Chelmsford Prison sees nearly half of inmates fail drugs tests BBC
- ^ Chelmsford prison: Suicide failures at jail 'dismally regular' BBC
- ^ Former football star Tony Adams says going to prison for drink-driving didn't teach him "anything"
- ^ "Stephen Bear 'on suicide watch in prison' and has 'cried for days'". Birmingham Mail. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
- ^ "Live at Chelmsford Top Security Prison: The Sex Pistols: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 20 March 2010.