AN annual report on the state of Blakenhurst Prison has criticised delays in dealing with Immigration Service detainees there.

The Independent Monitoring Board report said it was worried about keeping these people in a local prison with few facilities to assist them in progressing their cases.

But it said this was an issue for the Home Office and generally concluded it had been an encouraging year for the category B prison, which has 880 inmates including sex offenders and vulnerable prisoners.

The board noted the difficulties encountered during the year as a new wing is being constructed and a temporary kitchen put into use.

But it noted 'errors and delays' to date, calling on the Prison Service to resolve issues concerning the operating costs of the new houseblock.

The report also praised staff for their ability to handle difficult prisoners, particularly those with mental health issues or personality disorders.

A visiting consultant had commented the prison holds a "more toxic and dangerous mix of mentally ill and personality disordered prisoners" than were held in his secure wards.