OVERCROWDING problems at Dartmoor Prison have led to cells intended for single occupancy housing two prisoners at a time, a new report has revealed.

Dartmoor Board of Visitors released its annual report last week, which raised concerns about overcrowding and drug abuse within the jail.

The report comes a fortnight after an ?incident of concerted indiscipline? involving around 40 inmates refusing to return to their cells. Inmates were believed to be unhappy at restrictions on periods of association, when they can leave their cells to play pool, watch television and use telephones. A control and restraint unit of specially-trained prison officers was deployed to restore order following the disturbance on November 4.

Chairman of the Board of Visitors Michael Long said he believed the inmates? peaceful protest was a ?knock-on? effect of prisoners not getting their full entitlement to association. He said the failure to resolve issues of staffing levels between the Prison Officers? Association and management was a ?severe hindrance to the current running and effective development of the establishment.?

The report stated: ?The Board is still concerned that 21 cells designed for single occupancy have been brought into two prisoner use.? The report says while the board understands this action is ?in response to a national-overcrowding problem, it still considers the cells unacceptable for double occupancy due to their size and lack of privacy.?

Mr Long said the report was produced at the end of July, when 21 cells had been brought into two-prisoner use, but he understood that at the moment, a few more cells were doubling up. He said this practice seemed contrary to attempts to help the prison move forward and replace the old Dartmoor culture.

The report also examined the issue of substance abuse within the prison. In its last annual report, the Board warned a decision to remove passive drug dogs would be detrimental. The report stated: ?Unfortunately, these warnings were not heeded, and the Board receives regular reports suggesting an increase in the number of substance abuses and related incidents throughout the prison.?

Mr Long said the prison governor has since reinstated the dogs and positive drug tests were falling.

The Board will be urging Home Secretary David Blunkett to consider a number of other important issues raised by the report, including a decision on the future of the prison farm, repairs to the carpenters? workshop roof, refurbishment of the gymnasium and the need for ?appropriate resources to help HMP Dartmoor develop positively.?

The report praised many aspects of the prison?s work, including the impressive internal and external initiatives, particularly offending behaviour programmes, which help rehabilitate prisoners prior to release. The report states: ?A huge amount of good work is being undertaken at HMP Dartmoor, with a dedicated hard-working core of management and staff.?

Mr Long said reports of assaults on staff by prisoners and between prisoners had both reduced significantly.

The Board also welcomed the proposal to apply for funding to re-open workshops in plastering, painting and decorating, and additionally contract cleaning, which would assist prisoners to gain meaningful employment after release.

The Board said Dartmoor Prison continues to provide a low-cost drug therapy programme in support of prisoners with drug and alcohol problems, and commended the commitment and professionalism of staff and outside agencies dealing with these problems.

The report is the first since Dartmoor has completed its re-rolling from a category B to category C training prison, and has undertaken a process of change under a new governor to move away from the ?old Dartmoor culture?. This was signalled, said the report, by the closure of the 45-bed segregation wing, which was replaced by a newly-located 13-bed secure, care and control unit.

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said the report highlighted a number of positive points during what had been a difficult time for the jail. ?The prison has made huge changes and going from category B to category C is extremely difficult and I believe the governor Graham Johnson and the staff have managed this transition extremely well, nevertheless, it requires proper funding.

?I believe the Home Office has been too insistent on too rapid a cut in staff,? he added.

Mr Burnett said he was delighted to have opened a new visitors centre at Dartmoor recently, which would help inmates stay in touch with their families. Mr Burnett said the new resettlement area at the prison would also help with the transition.

The Board?s report has gone to Prisons Minister Hilary Benn, who will issue a response in two or three weeks? time.