THE proposed redesignation of Dartmoor Prison as a low security unit could bring great benefits, according to prison service director Martin Narey and governor John Lawrence, but more than 50 officers could become redundant.

Mr Narey said Dartmoor had a tradition of being a prison no one wanted to go to.

'Cat C status would allow Dartmoor to concentrate on the good work it does on drugs and education and for it to be seen as a more constructive place,' he said.

Mr Lawrence said: 'It's an excellent idea. Rather than taking all the difficult prisoners who are hard to motivate, it will enable us to implement a full rehabilitation regime and change the culture — get all the inmates being constructive.'

The down-grading of Dartmoor will inevitably see a reduction in the numbers of prison officers — currently there are 156, but similar Category C establishments have between 100 and 120 officers, according to Mr Lawrence.

He said he hoped to deal with that sensitively through various deals and transfers, early retirements and resignations, although officers were 'mobile grades', required to go where needed.

'There will be no compulsory redundancies and I hope we won't have any compulsory transfers,' said Mr Lawrence. 'Numbers will whittle down fairly quickly — we've gone from 180 to 160 in the last two years through natural wastage.'

John Masterton, vice chairman of the Dartmoor Prison Officers' Association, said the changes were due to be in place by September, which left little time for 'natural wastage'.

'Mr Lawrence said there would be no compulsory redundancies, but what is he going to do with them all?

'There's only one officer we know of who may be thinking of taking early retirement and only 10 people interested in a transfer,' he said.

A final decision is due to be made during the summer.