A PRISONER has been charged with attempted murder after another inmate suffered potentially life-changing injuries.

Police were called to Chelmsford Prison shortly after 9.15am on Monday after reports of a stabbing inside the facility.

When they arrived, a man had to be transferred to hospital with what at the time were thought to be life-threatening injuries.

His condition has since improved.

Police then arrested Patrick Chandler, 45, on suspicion of attempted murder.

Chandler lived in Clacton before beginning his sentence at Chelmsford Prison last month.

He has now been charged with attempted murder and was due to appear in court yesterday.

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed the victim was no longer in a life-threatening situation and a man had been charged.

He said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing inside Chelmsford Prison in Springfield Road, Chelmsford, at around 9.15am on Monday, July 2.

“A man was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

“His condition is no longer thought to be life-threatening but potentially life-changing.

“Patrick Chandler, 45, of Chelmsford Prison, was arrested and has since been charged with attempted murder.”

A spokesman for the prison service confirmed an inmate was receiving hospital treatment, but said they would be unable to provide any more details.

He said: “A prisoner is receiving hospital treatment following an incident at HMP Chelmsford on Monday, July 2.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while there is an ongoing police investigation.”

It is understood there was no further disruption to the prison after the incident had been dealt with.

Patrick Chandler was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years after being convicted of the murder of John Comer in Lawford last year.