Deerbolt YOI officer quizzed over alleged drugs smuggling

A prison officer has been arrested over the alleged smuggling of drugs into a young offenders' institution in County Durham.

The officer from Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, is being questioned over the alleged supply of Class A drugs.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the arrest, adding the officer had been suspended pending investigations.

The male officer was detained at the Category C training prison on Friday.

Deerbolt, which opened in 1973, can hold about 500 prisoners aged 18 to 21.

Most are from the north-east of England, with the majority serving sentences of four years or less.