FULL Sutton Prison is a much safer place for both staff and inmates - but it still needs to do more to close a gap between officers and prisoners.

Those were some of the key conclusions today from the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, following an inspection earlier this year at the high-security jail near Stamford Bridge.

The report said that Full Sutton, which holds 600 of the most serious offenders in the prison system, some dangerous or seriously mentally disturbed, had suffered from disturbances and concerted indiscipline in the recent past.

"During this inspection, it was clear that the prison was a much safer place than it had been, both for prisoners and staff. It presented an ordered, controlled environment, and there was a low level of recorded incidents.

"We do not underestimate this achievement, nor the fact that this degree of stability and good order is something that needs constantly to be monitored and worked at in a high-security prison."

The report said the challenge was for the prison to maintain this level of safety, while doing more to develop positive staff-prisoner relationships.

Prisoners generally felt safe, but care was needed to ensure hidden bullying, through "covert and sophisticated intimidation," were also tackled.

Updated: 14:18 Wednesday, July 16, 2003