A Northallerton prison governor today labelled as unjust an official report that claimed cells in his jail were in breach of human rights.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Sir David Ramsbotham said tiny cells holding two prisoners in C-wing of Northallerton Young Offenders Institute broke European and UK rules and infringed the European Convention on Human Rights.

And in his official report, following an inspection last March, he said much needed to be done to bring cells and living standards up to an acceptable standards.

He also described the visiting area of the prison, which also serves as a remand centre, as "awful", calling it stark, out-of-date and unwelcoming.

However the report generally was full of praise for the prison and its staff and held up several aspects of its operation as examples of best practice worthy of being copied at other facilities.

Originally built in 1783 and the oldest prison in the country to be in continuous penal use, Northallerton's future role is currently under discussion _ but the report highlights the "excellent work" of the staff despite the uncertainty they face.

Prison governor Martin Ward, who took over as governor in April, said that while the report was generally balanced and fair, some of the criticism levelled had been unjust.

He pointed out that since the inspection, at a time when the prison was overcrowded, C-wing had been transformed.

It has now become a wing which inmates aspire towards, through privileges earned by good behaviour. Each of the 45 cells is equipped with a TV and has only one inmate _ and each of the prisoners have key jobs and more association time.

One C-wing prisoner told The Northern Echo yesterday: "I had to work to get here and it was worth it. It's a real incentive not to slip."

The visitors' area _ created in a converted chapel _ has also seen major improvements, the latest of which is to be a crche for the children of visiting family and friends.

"Substantial changes have been made here over the past six months and they have not been cosmetic but fundamental," said Mr Ward.

"Northallerton has had to change its role a number of times in the past and it has been a long time since it had a role with some longevity."