Improvement for all-male prison

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Durham Prison has improved since it stopped holding women, according to a government report.

When last inspected it was a complex prison, holding both high security men and women, as well as operating as a local prison.

The report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons' Anne Owers found managers were now able to focus on a single task.

However, there were concerns that vulnerable prisoners were held together with other prisoners.

The report found a good relationships between staff and prisoners and procedures to support suicidal and self-harming prisoners had improved considerably.

'Considerable goodwill'

There were concerns that vulnerable prisoners were living in fear as anti-bullying procedures not robust enough to identify and tackle it.

There was also a lack of sufficient, and useful, activity, with only 60 full-time education and 310 work places.

Ms Owers said: "This is a report on an improving establishment, which is developing its role as a local and community prison for the north east.

"There is much to do, but there is clear and focused management and considerable goodwill from staff."