A DORSET prison is getting safer – but there's 'much work still to be done', government inspectors say.

Since the beginning, staff have taken action to tackle violence and drugs, according to report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

However, officials say progress in other areas was "disappointing".

In January 2019, inspectors described a prison that had started to make progress after successive poor inspections.

At that time, though, inspectors were concerned about high levels of violence, driven by drug use and debt. Use of force by staff was also high.

An independent review of progress took place in October. It was found that there had been sufficient progress against only four of the 13 recommendations. There was 'no meaningful progress' against a further two.

Officials said although use of force has been reduced, governance is "inconsistent". Overall, outcomes in prison safety have shown “impressive progress" with a reduction in violence of nearly 40 per cent.

The number of positive drug tests has also dramatically dropped.