Insights VIP+ National Year of Reading 2026 - HMP Chelmsford

Date of visit to HMP Chelmsford to be arranged directly between winner and host. 

This visit offers a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity to see how HMP Chelmsford has embedded its whole-prison reading strategy across all areas of prison life. Attendees will gain direct insight into how reading is not confined to education alone, but is actively integrated into residential units, workshops, peer-led initiatives, family engagement, and wider rehabilitative activity.

Through this immersive experience, visitors will develop a deeper understanding of how a coordinated, cross-departmental approach can create a culture of reading that supports engagement, wellbeing, and progression. Attendees will see first-hand examples of partnership working, staff commitment, and creative practice that bring the strategy to life, alongside the opportunities and challenges of delivering this in a live custodial environment.

The visit will provide valuable knowledge and practical insight into how reading can be used as a rehabilitative tool, how it can be embedded sustainably across functions, and what success looks like in practice, enabling attendees to reflect on how similar approaches could be adapted within their own establishments or settings.

Enter the draw by 19th June 2026 for a chance to attend this event. The lucky winner(s) will be notified by 26th June 2026.

This event is open to staff who work in the Criminal Justice System only. Please register with your work email address. You will be asked to confirm your role and organisation at checkout. We may need to ask you to provide additional verification.

Certain events require additional security measures to be taken - the host of the event will confirm these with you ahead of the event. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your ticket being cancelled and entry refused.