A PRISON watchdog has criticised the 'wholly unacceptable delay' in building new kitchens at Hewell Grange Prison and called on the Government to cut red tape to hurry things up, writes Becky Procter.

The Board of Visitors' annual report to the Home Secretary on the open prison near Tardebigge said the existing kitchens were 'dilapidated and a health risk', despite the efforts of staff.

The report says: "Hygienic conditions in the prison are essential. Through no fault of local management, staff or inmates, the current kitchen facility fails on that count.

"The planning process is taking an inordinate length of time and the point has been reached where the Secretary of State should expedite the matter forthwith using whatever powers are available to him."

The report published this week also questions the Government's future policy for open prisons after the board failed to receive the answers it called for last year.

Concerns have also been raised that not enough money is available for prisoner rehabilitation programmes, an important part of the prison's role.

A board spokesman said: "Open prisons are supposed to be a bridge between custody and a return to the community.

"The board says Hewell Grange can only be this if it offers a full range of rehabilitative programmes aimed at avoiding repeat offending by prisoners."