PORTLAND'S Verne Prison for sex offenders has been praised by inspectors following an unannounced visit.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons said the relationship between staff and prisoners was one of the best it had seen, and found the facility to be 'safe, with low violence and self-harm, and respectful'.

One area for improvement was activity provision and some aspects of healthcare.

Despite this, inspectors praised the gym and outdoor facilities which include a full-size grass sports field and all-weather pitch, as well as 'extensive' outside exercise equipment.

Activities include study groups, religious classes, music groups, evening gym sessions and reading support groups, while the report notes that prisoners were 'never locked in their rooms and had free access around the site for over nine hours a day'.

However, it continues, 'there was not enough activity to occupy all prisoners and, in addition, the education curriculum did not meet their needs', whilst there was also criticism that too many inmates were unemployed at the time of the inspection, which took place in February 2020.

A survey carried out by inspectors found that 67 per cent prisoners said being at The Verne made them feel less likely to offend in future, whilst 32 per cent said it would make no difference.

The report also notes that there was 'reasonable' support for prisoners to maintain contact with family and friends - but that facilities for visitors were 'basic', and there were weaknesses in implementing contact restrictions.

Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: “Outcomes were good, our highest judgement, in our healthy prison tests of safety and respect, not sufficiently good in purposeful activity and reasonably good in rehabilitation and release planning.”

Overall, Mr Clarke said,“This was a positive inspection of a well-run institution. The governor has established a culture where staff and prisoners treat each other with respect and legitimate concerns are responded to.”

Phil Copple, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Director General of Prisons, said: “This is an incredibly positive inspection, with the relationship between staff and prisoners amongst the best the inspector has ever seen.

"This is credit to the Governor and his staff for creating a safe prison, where offenders can focus on rehabilitation. Immediate steps have been taken with healthcare to improve services and more workshops are being provided, to give prisoners better access to education and training.”