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.[3] The prison is operated by His Majesty's Prison Service.
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.[4]
In 2000, Elmley Prison had a serious infestation of fleas, affecting both inmates and staff at the prison.[5]
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.[6]
The problem of overcrowding at Elmley Prison was highlighted again in 2004 in a report from the Independent Monitoring Board. The report also criticised Elmley for its staff shortages which meant that prisoners had less time out of their cells.[7]
Overcrowding was identified as a key concern again in a report in 2007 on Elmley Prison. His 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"[8]
In June 2014, three prison officers were assaulted, two receiving serious injuries which required hospital treatment.[9]
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.[10] On 3 December 2014, another prisoner was found dead in his cell at the prison – the third in as many weeks.[11]
The prison today

Elmley Prison holds both 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.[12]
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
- ↑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.
- ↑"Elmley Prison". 10 March 2023.
- ↑Hardwick, Nick (November 2014). "HMIP Inspections of Elmley". Doing Time. Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
- ↑"Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) Prison information". HM Prison and Probation Service. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ↑"Jail rapped as flea pit". The People. 10 September 2000. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ↑ "La cárcel superpoblada lucha por mejorar" . BBC News . 11 de septiembre de 2003. Consultado el 12 de abril de 2013 .
- ↑ "Críticas a la cárcel por hacinamiento" . BBC News . 24 de febrero de 2004. Consultado el 12 de abril de 2013 .
- ↑ "Inspector critica la cárcel abarrotada" . BBC News . 13 de junio de 2007. Consultado el 12 de abril de 2013 .
- ↑ Dyson, Lewis (22 de junio de 2014). "Dos funcionarios de prisiones de HMP Elmley en Eastchurch fueron trasladados al hospital tras una agresión por parte de un recluso presuntamente ebrio" . Kent Messenger . Consultado el 23 de septiembre de 2019 .
- ↑ «Recluso hallado muerto en su celda en la prisión superpoblada de Elmley» . BBC News . 12 de noviembre de 2014. Consultado el 4 de diciembre de 2014 .
- ↑ "Un recluso de la prisión de Elmley es el noveno en morir en 2014"" . BBC News . 3 de diciembre de 2014. Consultado el 4 de diciembre de 2014 .
- ↑ "Información sobre el régimen penitenciario de Elmley" . Inside Time . 13 de diciembre de 2014. Consultado el 3 de octubre de 2015 .
- ↑ "Frustran el complot de Aitken en prisión" . BBC News . 1 de enero de 2000. Consultado el 12 de abril de 2013 .
- ↑ O'Neill, Sean; Thompson, Paul (5 de mayo de 2006). "Resuelto el enigma del falso conde" . The Times . Consultado el 23 de septiembre de 2019 .
- ↑ Tran, Mark (14 de noviembre de 2007). "Langham sale de la cárcel tras ganar la apelación" . The Guardian . Consultado el 12 de abril de 2013 .
Enlaces externos
- Páginas del Ministerio de Justicia sobre Elmley archivadas el 13 de octubre de 2011 en la Wayback Machine.
- Prisiones de categoría B en Inglaterra
- Prisiones de categoría C en Inglaterra
- Prisiones en Kent
- Establecimientos en Inglaterra en 1992
- prisiones para hombres
- Isla de Sheppey