A GOVERNMENT inspection of Usk and Pencoed prisons was today hailed "one of the best ever" by staff.

The inspection, carried out by Her Majesty's Chief Inspectors for England and Wales, Anne Owers, found Usk Prison, and Prescoed Prison and Young Offenders Institution to be safe, with excellent training workshops and "an over-arching atmosphere of respect".

Martin Narey, director general of the Prison Service, said it was a tribute to the commitment and dedication of Governor Ray Coomber.

As reported, Mr Coomber died suddenly on New Year's Eve, aged 57. John May, operational manager, said: "This is one of the best reports I have ever seen." The report, carried out last January, stated that the prisons were safe environments and the staff provided a professional service which added to the prisoners' confidence.

Recommendations for development in today's report include: Introducing communal dining out of cell;

Sex offenders in denial should not share cells with those undergoing sex offender treatment programmes.

The report particularly praised the resettlement programme at Prescoed, which was highlighted for provided good working links with the community. Mr May said at the moment a community project was under way where work was being carried out on the refurbishment of hard-to-let houses in the area by prisoners.

He said: "It is a brilliant project and prisoners can often move from charity- based work to paid employment which helps them to support families and when they leave prison." One Prescoed prisoner, involved in the resettlement programme for three months, said: "I helped to set up an advice centre which helps people with their housing needs and issues surrounding debt."

Mr Narey said: "This report is a tribute to the commitment and dedication of Governor Ray Coomber, who tragically died on New Year's Eve.

"Ray was instrumental in bringing about the culture of respect and decency that the inspectors recognised."