A CLEVELAND prison has been criticised for having inadequate medical and educational service and for the number of deaths in custody.

The board of visitors for Holme House in Stockton praises staff for a progressive regime and efficiency.

But in its annual report, it says the prison is not adequately prepared for outbreaks of illness because the medical centre is not big enough. Other areas needing attention include the education and physical education departments.

The report also says the number of deaths in custody is "worrying."

The prison admits that some of its services have not kept pace with the rising number of inmates. This has nearly doubled in less than ten years and budgets have failed to keep up.

In addition, Holme House is facing a cut in its budget which could aggravate the situation, says the report.

Board chairman, Mrs Pat Partridge, said: "Overall we are pleased with the efficient way the prison is being run, and it has one of the best drugs rehabilitation units in the country.

"But we hope this good report and superior grading given by the chief inspector of prisons does not lead to complacency.

"Since the number of inmates has almost doubled, there has been no increase in health care, education or physical education. Luckily, there have been no medical crises."

Mrs Partridge said ideally every inmate would spend time on constructive real work in prison as part of his education, but the workshops were not winning outside contracts.

She said one death in custody was too many and there had been three in the past year, doubling the total at Holme House since the prison opened in 1992.

The prison's head of finance, Mr Tim Brittain, said it had been praised by the inspector. Lack of workshop contracts mirrored the situation outside the prison with firms giving their own workers priority.

Deaths in custody were taken very seriously, he said.