A NO-CONFIDENCE vote in Dartmoor Prison's governor has been taken by prison officers angry at planned staff cuts.

The officers are unhappy at the level of staffing cuts proposed for the downgrading of Dartmoor from accommodating Category B to Category C prisoners.

The unanimous vote of no confidence in governor Graham Johnson was taken at a recent meeting of the Dartmoor branch of the Prison Officers' Association.

The governor was informed of the vote following the meeting.

Prison officers feel they have not been kept adequately informed about the proposals.

Officers said that proposals reducing staff numbers from 180 to 115 could put the safety of warders and inmates at risk. Negotiations between the two sides are continuing but appear to have reached an impasse.

Trevor Horn, chairman of Dartmoor Prison Officers' Association, said there was unhappiness among staff over the cuts proposed under the reform of the prison's security category.

'We realise we have to cut staff at Dartmoor, but the staffing levels proposed are too low and we do not agree with them.'

Mr Horn acknowledged that there was a difference between Category B and C prisoners in terms of the level of staffing needed within the prison.

However, he said the work of prison officers was basically the same regardless of classification and category C prisoners could be just as demanding as Category B inmates.

The categorisation is partly based on factors such as risk of escape and threat posed to the public.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Dartmoor has recently been re-rolled from a Category B to a Category C prison and there are some staff reductions as a consequence of the re-roll. A vote of no confidence was taken.

'The governor understands the concerns of the prison officers and there are negotiations with the branch to resolve the problem.'

Dartmoor was re-classified as a Category C prison earlier this month, but an agreement on new staffing levels has not been reached.

Officers are concerned that reduced staff numbers could see weekend shifts with 35 wardens looking after the entire prison population of more than 600 inmates.

Supporters of the downgrading move say that becoming a lower security prison will allow Dartmoor to concentrate on the good work it has already achieved in rehabilitation projects.

This is the first time for almost 20 years that a vote of no confidence in Dartmoor's governor has been taken.

Mr Johnson took up the post as governor at Dartmoor in June, following the departure of previous governor John Lawrence.

Mr Johnson was away from the prison this week and unavailable for comment.