TROUBLE was stirred up at a Worcestershire prison after suspected terrorists were given free access to a courtyard where they grow flowers and veg.

Warders in the specialist unit for extremist prisoners at Long Lartin jail, South Littleton, Evesham, said they were given a "lot of stick" by other officers because the detainees were given "too good a deal".

A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, also raised fears that a lack of Arabic-speaking officers could be a security risk because "staff could never be certain what was being discussed between detainees".

The document disclosed that eight Muslim detainees in the unit enjoyed unrestricted access to an inner courtyard for up to nine-and-a-half-hours a day. They had begun growing flowers and vegetables in planters in the courtyard, the report said.

They had also negotiated access to Arabic channels on satellite TV, and had access to a gym and pool table.

One staff member told inspectors: "Unit staff get a lot of stick from the rest of the prison for the way detainees are treated. Other staff think they get too good a deal.

"For instance, the low roll and the access to the inner yard. It can make staff on the unit feel isolated from the rest of the prison."

Detainees claimed their mental health was deteriorating due to a number of factors.

They complained about healthcare, with one claiming that healthcare staff were "corrupt and used by the prison".

Some reacted badly to the noise of jangling keys at night because it recalled "bad memories" of sleep deprivation torture they claimed they had previously endured, the report added.

The chief inspector said the jail should attempt to recruit Muslim staff or train Arabic speakers, as well as educating officers to understand the "signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder".

Six of the detainees were being held prior to deportation, one was challenging extradition proceedings and an eighth detainee arrived during the inspection.

Several hundred pounds had been authorised by the Governor for Arabic language books, mainly religious texts, and detainees received a mainstream Arabic language newspaper, the report said.

Ms Owers said: "In general, the balance between security and care was being properly managed, though we make recommendations for further adjustments and for more staff training.

"This report shows the challenges that the Long Lartin unit poses, and the additional support that is needed both for detainees and staff."

Prison Service director general Phil Wheatley said: "I am confident that managers and staff at Long Lartin are providing appropriate security and care for this group. Detainees have access to the same health services as all prisoners at Long Lartin, and we will continue to work to ensure that the detainees are fully engaged with these services."