Report criticises 'dirty' prison

4:26am Wednesday 9th July 2008

A jail has been accused of "institutional disrespect" because it is dirty, cells are covered in pornography and inmates are locked up early.

Prison officers were also criticised for "barking instructions" at offenders on the landings at Dartmoor jail in Devon.

The report by Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the jail had "noticeably slipped back" since the last inspection in 2006.

"We were concerned that the levels of use of force, the condition of some of the accommodation and the frequent early lock-ups suggested institutional disrespect or poor management," said Ms Owers' report. "Prisoners' preferred names were not generally used, and staff sometimes barked instructions to prisoners across landings.

"Furniture was missing from many cells and the prison was failing to enforce its offensive display policy - many cells were covered in soft pornography. Staff felt able to leave, and to lock up prisoners early."

Inspectors found no evidence of the widely-criticised negative staff culture uncovered in an inspection seven years ago. But they said staff were not actively engaging with prisoners.

The chief inspector said: "It is always disappointing to report on a prison which has not been able to maintain promising progress. Dartmoor had significantly slipped back from the prison we inspected in 2006.

"It will require renewed and much more robust management to reverse this trend, to support and encourage committed staff, and to ensure that Dartmoor once more fulfils its role as an effective training prison."

National Offender Management Service director general Phil Wheatley said: "In the months running up to this inspection the governor had spent a significant but unavoidable amount of time out of the prison, and this undoubtedly contributed to the prison slipping back in its transformation since 2001.

"I am confident that the governor of Dartmoor and her current senior management team will continue their hard work to ensure that ground recently lost is regained. Dartmoor is currently implementing a performance improvement delivery plan, which will provide a framework to deliver the important work identified by the chief inspector."

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