A SHOCK report on a prison near Bromsgrove was released this week.

The dossier, by the board of visitors at Brockhill Women's Prison, Tardebigge, reveals a catalogue of problems. But the ongoing staff shortage is the most worrying.

The prison has the fourth highest rate of staff on sick leave in the prison service. The shortage of officers is especially prevalent at senior officer level.

There were at least five members of staff on long-term sick leave last year and the number off sick at any one time has been up to nine, out of about 70 officers.

One member of staff said: "If we had a full complement of staff, it would work well."

Prisoners can only be offered four three-hour training and education sessions a week, but due to staff sickness, even this is often cut.

The report criticised the provision for mental health at the prison, where officers who have not received the proper training can be expected to care for the inmates.

The number of prisoners held at Brockhill is reaching crisis level; despite an extra nine beds being added this year.

The report did state that "the majority of staff remain conscientious, caring and dedicated, and there is a good relationship between staff and prisoners." The report stressed that things were improving, albeit slowly.

The situation at the prison was described as 'a game of snakes and ladders', where everybody works hard to climb the ladder only to slide down again.

It concluded that Brockhill is too small to be a local prison for its catchment area and it would be more effective as a specialised unit.