A NORTH-East prison is overcrowded and close to capacity, according to inspectors.

Durham Prison, which would ideally hold no more than 595 inmates, is averaging 930, according to a new report from its Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).

Hence, most prisoners are held two to a cell meant for just one.

However, the 200-year-old prison is still under its “operational capacity” of 995 inmates.

The IMB report praises its governor, Tim Allen, for his leadership and developing professionalism among his staff.

It says staff team work is excellent, sickness absence has fallen dramatically, morale is mostly good, the catering is good and horticulture training and displays are excellent.

However, the prison is overcrowded, equipment regularly breaks, some showers lack screens – providing opportunities for bullying - and staffing is “very tight”.

Private contractor G4S is struggling to attract nurses to work in the prison and is having to offer “golden hellos”.

Durham is a Category B prison, with 90 per cent of its prisoners coming from the local area. About 11 per cent are young offenders and the average stay is nine weeks.