Prisoners in the city could soon have more access to technology, says the MP.

Vicky Ford, MP, for Chelmsford has backed the plans and said it will help reduce violence at Chelmsford Prison.

Mrs Ford told the Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times that the number of violent assaults rose from 321 to 414 incidents in 2016 of which over 120 were assaults against prison staff.

Mrs Ford, 49, said: "I am pleased to hear that new staff recruitment policies have been successful but it it is also very important to make sure our prison staff are safe. It is good that the prison is taking measures to reduce violence.

"The new computers do not give prisoners internet access like we are used to outside prison.

"This is not giving prisoners access to Facebook or social media. However this will help with education and safety and calm down what is a significantly crowded prison.

"I am looking forward to be visiting the prison at the end of September to see how it is working.”

The prison has been contacted for a comment.

The prison service has also had talks to allow inmates to communicate with their loved ones over Skype.

It emerged that the UK Government was being advised to allow prisoner video calls in a bid to reduce re-offending.

The recommendation came in an independent review chaired by Lord Farmer, who was commissioned to investigate how helping prisoners to engage with their families could reduce re-offending.

Lord Farmer’s report stated: “This would likely include most foreign nationals but also, for example, it might also be too disruptive for new babies, young children or teenagers studying for important exams to come into prison to visit at frequent intervals, but virtual visits would keep up the contact.”

He added: “My report is not sentimental about prisoners’ families, as if they can, simply by their presence, alchemise a disposition to commit crime into one that is law abiding.

“However, I do want to hammer home a very simple principle of reform that needs to be a golden thread running through the prison system and the agencies that surround it.

“That principle is that relationships are fundamentally important if people are to change.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Digital technology will allow prison officers to focus their time on the important task of reforming offenders and making prisons safer.

“We will utilise technology so offenders can complete a range of activities for themselves, such as booking onto training courses without the need for officers to manage the paperwork.

“This means prison officers can spend more of their time on the frontline working towards making prisons more secure.”