Staff morale at Long Lartin high security prison has been boosted as the jail rose sharply up the national ratings, according to a report published this week.

The prison has gone from 125th out of 147 establishments to number 43, according to the Independent Monitoring Board's annual report.

Much of the credit has been given to "significant" changes including the provision of health care by the Primary Care Trust rather than from the prison service and the imminent commissioning of a new Mental Health Unit.

There have also been significant changes to the use and location of workshops, added gymnasium facilities, a new reception area and the provision of a wing for prisoners at risk.

"Probably of greater importance is the improvement in staff morale brought about by the perception of a succeeding rather than a failing prison," the report said.

However, the IMB has identified a number of areas where improvements can be made. They have called for an "urgent" reassessment of the prisoners' wages and payment system and recommended special family visits at weekends or holidays.

The prison authorities faced difficulties in the segregation unit during the year. "The near filling of the unit capacity was aggravated early in the year by prisoners damaging a number of cells and by almost continuous dirty protests," the report noted.

One prisoner died in the segregation unit the day after he was returned to the prison, and there were 18 recorded incidents of prisoners self-harming during the year.

The prison, which was opened in 1971, now houses more than 200 lifers, among them a small number designated High Risk.

In the past 12 months the prisoner team responsible for maintaining the gardens has been disbanded to assure improved security and the work passed to an outside contractor.

Long Lartin dog handlers now select and train their dogs in-house, which has led to considerable savings, but the IMB expressed concern at a growing national trend of attacks on dogs by prisoners and visitors.