A RECENT visit to Dartmoor Prison saw the West Devon and Torridge MP meet the new governor and the heads of departments to discuss issues affecting the prison.

Geoffrey Cox, was escorted around the prison by governor Tony Corcoran, and made a point of seeing the Resettlement Unit, in which 40-50 prisoners are prepared for outside work once they are released. The unit has proved to be very successful in reducing re-offending as it aims to equip prisoners with skills such as carpentry and masonry, which gives them a trade and helps them find employment.

Mr Cox met representatives of the Prison Officer's Association and heads of departments to discuss the issues affecting Dartmoor Prison and the general problems facing the prison service and criminal justice system.

Mr Cox said: 'It is pleasing to see the prison has recovered from problems in the past, and the new governor has clearly established a new sense of direction and leadership.

'I am delighted to see the Resettlement Unit is able to do such extremely valuable work without interruption from pressures of prison numbers.'