Lancashire jail told to keep up good work (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lancashire jail told to keep up good work

11:00pm Friday 7th September 2012 in North Lancashire news

PRESTON prison, the main local jail for East Lancashire convicts, has been told to improve provision for older and disabled prisoners by inspectors.

However, their report said it had continued to make improvements since the last inspection in 2009.

It said the prison had maintained standards on security, equality and reduction of violence but it said governance of the use of force remained inadequate and custody planning for remand prisoners was underdeveloped.

The report, following an unannounced inspection in April, also said too few staff had been trained over the risk of self-harm.

It called for paid, trained mentors to care for older prisoners or those with disabilities, though it accepted that there were informal arrangements in place.

HMP Preston is a category B men's prison with about 720 inmates.

The progress there was praised by chief inspector of prisons, Nick Hardwick, who said: “HMP Preston has continued with the positive response to the recommendations arising from the last inspection.”