,A report into HMP Chelmsford found when its inmates watch major sporting events such as the World Cup, Euros and the Olympics violence behind bars falls, by around 14%
Prison violence plummets when inmates are busy watching sport on TV, a report revealed.
Bad behaviour went down around blockbuster sporting events such as the World Cup or Euros, Formula 1, the Olympics, Tour de France, the Grand National or Wimbledon. A report into HMP Chelmsford, a 720-capacity Cat B jail in Essex – which was once home to ex-England football captain Tony Adams after he was convicted of drink driving.
The report by inspectors from the Independent Monitoring Board found levels of violence fell by 14% when major sporting events were on the telly. Last year, some TVs in the jail went on the blink just when ‘key football matches’ or Grand Prix races were set to start, which the report stated ‘raised tensions’ and saw violence soar.
An example given in the report was the Euros last year, when Spain beat England 2-1 in the final. During the month-long tournament, TVs worked fine – leading to levels of violence dropping by 14% for the month.
When TVs stopped working, however, trouble kicked off when inmates couldn’t watch various sporting events, including various football matches and F1 races. The report states: “The Board is aware when the men are occupied watching major sporting events, the ‘value’ to them of their television is high.
“So, levels of violence fall, as was seen during the UEFA European Football Championship.”
Violent incidents during Euro 2024 – which ran from June 14 to July 14 – saw a drop of 14% compared to normal. The report added: “The number of incidents of prisoner-to-prisoner violence fell by 14%.”
When TVs conk out, however, inspectors noticed a change in mood, adding:”From time-to-time, TV aerials failed in some wings. This created specific tension when men missed key football matches or other sporting events, such as the Grand Prix.”
C4 shows F1 highlights, while the Olympics and Wimbledon is on BBC, the Grand National on C4, ITV4 the Tour de France and the World Cup and Euros on ITV and BBC.
HMP Chelmsford is home to a cafe called Fletcher’s, in honour of Ronnie Barker’s character Norman Stanley Fletcher in hit TV show Porridge. The 1979 movie Porridge – starring Ronnie Barker as serial crook Fletch and Richard Beckinsale as Lennie Godber – was filmed at the jail, which was closed for repairs at the time, following a fire in one of its wings.
The series, which ran from 1974-1977, used the entrances to HMP Maidstone and the former HMP St Albans in its title sequences, but was mostly filmed in the BBC studios and Leavesden Hospital in Herts. A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prisoners can only access TVs if they have earned the right – and only if they are not required to be at work or education.”
