Prison among best in country.

(From Western Daily Press)

WILTSHIRE'S prison was hailed as one of the best in the country yesterday after what one Government official described "an astoundingly good" inspection report.

Three years ago, Erlestoke Prison had a reputation for poor facilities and a high number of break-outs, but Government inspectors said the Category C prison had achieved a remarkable transformation into one of the country's top jails.

The 380-inmate prison has grown by almost a half in the last year, as new blocks have been built to accommodate a rise in prisoner numbers.

The chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers, admitted the prison was still "playing …