SIR Simon Burns MP for Chelmsford had a positive meeting with the Governor of HMP Chelmsford and the Lord Chancellor, The Rt. Hon. Liz Truss MP, at HMP Chelmsford.

Sir Simon said: “Following the promise the Lord Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Liz Truss MP, gave me in the House of Commons that HMP Chelmsford would get more Prison Officers, I had a very positive meeting with her, members of the staff at HMP Chelmsford and the Prison Governor.

“I was reassured by Liz Truss’ recognition of the problems facing HMP Chelmsford and am pleased that she reiterated that action is already being taken to address them. I was also encouraged by the actions she is going to take to overcome the issue of retention of staff at the Prison by increasing the money that is being paid to some Prison Officers and addressing the anomalies facing a number of other Officers.

“The Lord Chancellor also went away with a determination to deal with a number of other issues and problems that were drawn to her attention by the Prison Officers and the Governor.

“Although there is some way to go, I am heartened that positive action will be taken to improve HMP Chelmsford and overcome the problems that have been highlighted to Liz Truss during the course of her visit.”