HM Prison Elmley

HM Prison Elmley is a local Category B/C men's prison, located close to the village of Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. The term 'local' means that this prison holds people on remand to the local courts. Elmley once formed part of the Sheppey prisons cluster, which included HMP Standford Hill and HMP Swaleside; it is now a stand-alone establishment.[2] The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.

HMP Elmley
Prisons, Sheppey Cluster, Isle of Sheppey
Location in Kent
LocationEastchurch, Kent
Coordinates51.3884°N 0.8499°E / 51.3884; 0.8499
Security classAdult Male/Category B&C
Capacity985[1]
Population1,252 (as of May 2011)
Opened1992
Managed byHM Prison Services
GovernorPaul Woods
WebsiteElmley at justice.gov.uk

History

Elmley is a purpose built prison opened in 1992, and is one of six Bullingdon design prisons in England. A new Category C Unit was opened at the prison in 1997, making Elmley the largest of the three prisons within the Sheppey Cluster.[3]

In 2000, Elmley Prison had a serious infestation of fleas, affecting both inmates and staff at the prison.[4]

In a 2001 investigation, Elmley prison was employing drug dealers to smuggle large amounts of cocaine into the prison. In a 2003 report Elmley Prison was praised for making noticeable improvements, despite being overcrowded. However the report also raised concerns about the number of prisoners who were being held two together in cells designed for one. The report also highlighted the lack of resources for dealing with foreign nationals in the prison.[5]

The problem of overcrowding at Elmley Prison was highlighted again in 2004 in a report from the Independent Monitoring Board. The report also criticised Emley for its staff shortages which meant that prisoners had less time out of their cells.[6]

Overcrowding was identified as a key concern again in a report in 2007 on Elmley Prison. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons report stated support for prisoners in the early days of custody in Elmley was "seriously compromised" because of "acute population pressures"[7]

In June 2014, three prison officers were assaulted, two receiving serious injuries which required hospital treatment.[8]

In November 2014, a prisoner at the prison had been found dead on the day a damning report highlighted staff shortages and overcrowding at the jail. His death was the seventh in custody at the Kent jail that year.[9] On 3 December 2014, another prisoner was found dead in his cell at the prison – the third in as many weeks.[10]

The prison today

Elmley Prison holds unsentenced and sentenced adult men and unsentenced male young offenders from all of the courts in the county of Kent. Accommodation at the prison comprises five House Blocks holding between 183 and 240 prisoners each in single, double and treble cells. A sixth House Block has recently opened and houses the remaining 282 prisoners.

Education at the prison concentrates on improving key and basic skills as well as Information Technology, Art, ESOL and Employment skills courses. The PE department offers a range of qualifications and in conjunction with Charlton Athletic F.C., offers a range of football qualifications. In addition the prison works with the local primary care trust to offer Health trainer Qualifications and Social Care NVQ.[11]

Daily employment is also available at Elmley in horticulture, environmental services and recycling, production workshops, laundry, industrial cleaning and catering. Vocational training qualifications are offered in virtually all work areas.

There is a staffed visitors centre at Elmley Prison. Facilities include an unsupervised children's play area and a canteen. Canteen facilities also available in visits room.

Notable former inmates

References
  1. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (November 2014). "Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Elmley" (PDF). Justice Inspectorates. Web Archive: Gov UK. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  2. Hardwick, Nick (November 2014). "HMIP Inspections of Elmley". Doing Time. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  3. "Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) Prison information". HM Prison and Probation Service. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  4. "Jail rapped as flea pit". The People. 10 September 2000. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2019 – via HighBeam Research.
  5. "Overcrowded jail struggles to improve". BBC News. 11 September 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  6. "Jail criticised for overcrowding". BBC News. 24 February 2004. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  7. "Inspector criticises crowded jail". BBC News. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  8. Dyson, Lewis (22 June 2014). "Two prison officers at HMP Elmley in Eastchurch taken to hospital after assault by allegedly intoxicated inmate". Kent Messenger. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  9. "Inmate found dead in cell at overcrowded Elmley prison". BBC News. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  10. "Elmley Prison inmate 'ninth to die in 2014'". BBC News. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  11. "Elmley Prison Regime Info". Inside Time. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  12. "Aitken prison plot foiled". BBC News. 1 January 2000. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  13. O'Neill, Sean; Thompson, Paul (5 May 2006). "Riddle of the fake earl solved". The Times. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  14. Tran, Mark (14 November 2007). "Langham released from jail after winning appeal". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
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