This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6949667.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Casual' prison security exposed 'Casual' prison security exposed
(10 minutes later)
An prison's external gate was regularly left open at night to let staff have secure parking, a report has revealed. A prison's external gate was regularly left open at night to let staff have secure parking, a report has revealed.
The practice raised concerns about the "general casualness" of security at Ranby prison, near Retford, Notts.The practice raised concerns about the "general casualness" of security at Ranby prison, near Retford, Notts.
The chief inspector of prisons also said a "large and unexpected" shortfall in Ranby's funding could delay the tackling of drug use and bullying.The chief inspector of prisons also said a "large and unexpected" shortfall in Ranby's funding could delay the tackling of drug use and bullying.
The Prison Service said the open gate had been an "isolated incident", and a new budget set-up was being produced.The Prison Service said the open gate had been an "isolated incident", and a new budget set-up was being produced.
Ladder observedLadder observed
The report said: "The external gate was left open at night to allow staff to park inside the sterile area, and we observed a ladder against the inner security fence at this time.The report said: "The external gate was left open at night to allow staff to park inside the sterile area, and we observed a ladder against the inner security fence at this time.
"The management of keys at the gate was also of concern, with no proper control of who received which set of keys.""The management of keys at the gate was also of concern, with no proper control of who received which set of keys."
Problems with making the perimeter wall secure allowed drugs packages to be thrown into the prison, the report added.Problems with making the perimeter wall secure allowed drugs packages to be thrown into the prison, the report added.
There was also criticism of ineffective anti-bullying programmes, sub-standard accommodation and disappointing resettlement work.There was also criticism of ineffective anti-bullying programmes, sub-standard accommodation and disappointing resettlement work.
'Serious drugs problem''Serious drugs problem'
Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said she was unable to say how much the total funding shortfall had been.Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said she was unable to say how much the total funding shortfall had been.
"Staff at Ranby deserve credit for managing a massive expansion programme and for ensuring prisoners continued to be generally well-treated and provided with purposeful activity."Staff at Ranby deserve credit for managing a massive expansion programme and for ensuring prisoners continued to be generally well-treated and provided with purposeful activity.
"However, it has not been an easy process, with safety and control hampered by a serious drugs problem and slow progress on resettlement."However, it has not been an easy process, with safety and control hampered by a serious drugs problem and slow progress on resettlement.
"It is, therefore, essential that the recently-exposed hole in the prison's finances should not be allowed to undermine this hard-earned progress.""It is, therefore, essential that the recently-exposed hole in the prison's finances should not be allowed to undermine this hard-earned progress."
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The governor has been working to produce a new budget profile that will ensure that Ranby can operate within its allocated budget from October 2007.A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The governor has been working to produce a new budget profile that will ensure that Ranby can operate within its allocated budget from October 2007.
"The new profile will not affect the governor's ability to tackle the issues identified by the chief inspector.""The new profile will not affect the governor's ability to tackle the issues identified by the chief inspector."
Further gateFurther gate
Commenting on the gate being open, she said: "This was an isolated incident and not normal practice.Commenting on the gate being open, she said: "This was an isolated incident and not normal practice.
"The external gate gives access to the vehicles lock and there is a further gate into the prison which is never open at the same time.""The external gate gives access to the vehicles lock and there is a further gate into the prison which is never open at the same time."
Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said a three-stage anti-bullying system had been introduced at Ranby.Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said a three-stage anti-bullying system had been introduced at Ranby.
He added: "I am pleased that the chief inspector has acknowledged the impressive and varied range of education and vocational training places we have for prisoners held at Ranby."He added: "I am pleased that the chief inspector has acknowledged the impressive and varied range of education and vocational training places we have for prisoners held at Ranby."