HMP Channings Wood is a prison 'in decline'

The prison was subject to a surprise inspection in October 2016

HMP Channings Wood has been described as a "prison in decline" in a report by the chief inspector of prisons.

In his report Peter Clarke said the Devon jail was struggling to cope and safety had deteriorated.

He found inmates did not feel safe and the level of violence had "increased noticeably" since the last inspection in 2012.

Michael Spurr from the National Offender Management Service said he recognised immediate action was needed.

More on the prison 'struggling to cope', and other news

The prison, in the village of Denbury, held just over 700 prisoners at the time of the unannounced inspection in October 2016.

Mr Clarke said: "The senior management team had a number of vacancies, including that of deputy governor, all of which left substantial strategic and operational gaps.

"As a result, our major concern is that the prison just doesn't have the necessary strategies, plans or resources at a senior level to halt the deterioration."

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

• Arrangements to receive new prisoners were not thorough and fewer prisoners now felt safe when they first arrived

• Use of force had increased but oversight was not good enough

• Two prisoners had taken their own lives since 2012 and there had been a number of serious incidents of self-harm

• There had been a number of acts of indiscipline, some serious and concerted

• Over half the population said that it was easy to get illicit substances

• There was compelling evidence that substance abuse, including the abuse of new psychoactive substances, was widespread

• Too little attention was given to ensuring prisoners attended work, training or education and many of the places available were not used

• The management of prisoners' sentences and risks had deteriorated

• Half of all prisoners arriving at the prison did not have a risk assessment

Mr Spurr said "experienced senior leaders" had been appointed who would be working in the prison and supporting the governor to tackle the issues raised in the report.

"More prison officers have been recruited to help tackle violence and the prison has increased the use of metal detectors to help find weapons and mobile phones," he said.