INSPECTORS have praised Erlestoke Prison and said it is improving, with especially good relationships between staff and prisoners.

Officials from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, who inspected the low security risk prison on an unannounced visit in March, said relationships appeared very good, the use of first names for prisoners was common, and there was a suitable rapport.

"Prisoners complimented staff attitudes and approaches to them and inspectors saw that staff enjoyed their work. There were low levels of assault and self harm," their report said.

But hygiene standards were criticised. The inspectorate noted low standards of cleanliness in Wren Unit, which houses 100 prisoners, with the remains of meals and food trays left from the previous evening.

The report also said there was a basic lack of equipment such as tables and chairs in the wing, and cells were damp and had rusting window frames.

Since the visit, the unit has been repainted and decorated and cells have new furniture.

Inspectors were concerned there were not enough new prison officers, which they said were needed to create a good balance.

Prison governor Jayne Blake, who has been in charge at the 326 inmate prison for two years, was given a no confidence vote from the Prison Officers Association (POA) nine months after taking over.

The Association said it did not have confidence in her management style, but thought she had done a good job in tightening up security and making the prison more accountable.

POA secretary Martin Plastow said this week that morale among prison officers was fair, and there was now constructive work going on between the management and prison officers.

Commenting on the report, Mrs Blake said: "It report is very positive and shows the work the staff and prisoners are doing together.

"Staff have taken on the challenge of dealing with prisoners in the years 2000 and 2001 and dealing with the rehabilitation aspects of imprisonment. The report reflects the tremendous work that has gone on here and that will continue to go on."

Jerry Petherick, area manager for the Prison Service, said: "The jail has changed enormously in the last 18 months.

"There is a very positive relationship between staff and prisoners. It is a healthy prison and that isn't achieved easily. It's done through hard work by the staff."

He said that in a recent audit Erlestoke was the eighth best prison out of 136 in the country.

Colin Allen, deputy chief inspector of prisons, said more improvements could be made at Erlestoke, provided that "no more savings are demanded of a barely adequate budget."

This year Mrs Blake has cut £104,000 from the prison's budget through reprofiling posts.

Next year's budget is considerably better, with Mrs Blake having to find savings of just £12,000.

She said this improvement had come about because the prison was performing more efficiently. Erlestoke will also receive more income next year when it increases its number of prisoners by 14.

Mrs Blake wants to further improve the work the prison does to assist prisoners to rehabilitate into the community on their release.

It is working with Relate, Wiltshire College and the Employment Service.

Mark, one of the Wren Unit prisoners, who transferred from Winchester Prison three months ago, said Erlestoke Prison has a good reputation.

He said: "I wanted to come to Erlestoke because I heard it was okay and that the staff treated you well which is surprising in prisons.

"The staff here are fine and I like it here.

"It's a lot cleaner than Winchester and we are not banged up as much.''

He said the one negative aspect of the prison was the amount of illegal drugs that are available.

He said: "I have been asked by other prisoners if I want drugs but I have refused because I want to get on."

The number of prisoners who have tested positive for drugs is currently 15 per cent.

This is well down from the 25 per cent two years ago.

The governor however, said she is determined to reduce the number further.

Just over 160 prisoners half of the inmates have signed up to a voluntary drug testing programme.

The intensive programme is considered an incentive for prisoners who want to stay off drugs.