A DORSET prison has been described as safe, secure and humane in an annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board.

Guys Marsh at Shaftesbury was acknowledged as being 'a generally well-run and decent establishment where prisoners are kept secure and looked after with humanity'.

The Board applauded the governor and senior management's determination and efforts to help prisoners use their time at Guys Marsh most productively despite suffering severe budget cuts.

The report adds: 'Guys Marsh is indebted to the various voluntary and charitable agencies which provide a range of support to prisoners and their families.' The report also praised the innovative establishment' of a prison council, a body of 25 elected prisoners who meet regularly to discuss and put forward proposals to improve day to day life for Guys Marsh prisoners and staff alike. The council's work won it a prestigious Butler Trust Award which was presented at Buckingham Palace.

The Board said it regretted the increase in very short-term-stay prisoners at Guys Marsh.

The average prisoner stay of 5.8 months, during the report year, was criticised because they said it reduced management's ability to encourage and equip prisoners to lead useful lives after release.

One other major area of concern was mentioned in the report which highlighted the detention of prisoners with mental health issues in inappropriate and inadequate conditions'.

The report was prepared by 15 volunteers who form the IMB at Guys Marsh.

They visit on a regular basis and have access to all areas of the prison.