THE annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board into conditions at HM Prison Dartmoor has praise for its staff and security, in particular — but is disappointed that some issues, raised in previous reports, have not been fully addressed.

The category C prison in Princetown holds up to 661 adult male prisoners and is under threat of closure by the government — in September the Ministry of Justice announced that negotiations would begin to terminating the lease with the Duchy of Cornwall and close the prison within the next ten years.

The IMB, an impartial body, is there to satisfy itself as to the humane and just treatment of those held in custody within its prison and the range and adequacy of the programmes pre-paring prisoners for release.

Its findings go to the Secretary of State on how well the prison has met the standards and requirements placed on it and what impact these have on those in its custody.

IMB members have right of access to every prisoner and every part of the prison and also to the prison's records.

In its report for 2013, the board praises the prison for its imple-mentation of the Ministry of Justice's 'New Ways of Working' programme. It also notes that HMP Dartmoor has increased its rating as a well-run prison and that it has achieved an exceptional score for security.

Based on the evidence of only two serious incidents during the reporting year and few accidents or acts of violence being recorded, the board considers HMP Dartmoor to be a 'safe prison'.

It is pleased that sub-stantial improvements have been made in attendance by prisoners at work and education and that more work and education opportunities generally have been created.

But the board was disappointed that some issues, raised in previous reports, have not been fully addressed.

Some single cells, it said, are still being used for two prisoners, for example, and there remains little privacy screening around toilets in cells.

Work is still required on the fabric of the buildings and there are still no specific pro-grammes for sex offenders.

There are continuing problems with prisoner property, with arrange-ments for family visits, and with illegal drug use.

The board notes that there have been problems with the availability of repeat prescriptions and that disabled and infirm prisoners have to queue for long periods for their medication. Respon-sibility for social care is also not always clear.

Other concerns include too many prisoners left on the wings every day; a fewer staff with relevant experience working in reception, segregation and diversity; emergency escorts to hospital causing difficulties in maintaining the regime and continuing problems with arrangements for family visits.

The board finds there is variable and poor attendance at certain key prison meetings, and it considers that there are still too many prisoners left on the wings during the working day.

Graham Stoate, chair of the IMB at Dartmoor Prison, said that as a pilot prison for the MJ. it was still 'a scheme in pro-gress.'

He said there was a fine balance and a difficult job to maintain or improve required standards and investing resources but at the same time have an eye on the prison's future closure.

Mr Stoate said: 'Dartmoor is a big prison in terms of large numbers of prisoners and the Ministry of Justice would find it difficult to find places for inmates in the rest of the country.'

He added: 'In a few months Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons will make their report and this IMB report will be used to help them form part of the bigger picture to improve the running of the prison.'

He said with no indicative date for the closure of HMP Dartmoor the decision by the government has inevitably caused distress and uncertainty for staff.

Mr Stoate added: 'It is to the prison staff's credit that so far it has been business as usual.'