FOR the 223 inmates at Kirklevington Grange Prison, it is a breath of fresh air, a taste of normality, and a light at the end of the tunnel.

Long-term inmates, including 22 lifers, who have previously been kept behind bars with few privileges or freedoms, are sent to the Teesside resettlement jail, near Stockton, with the aim of preparing them for release.

For the lucky ones, it is the last stop in the Prison Service before parole is granted and is the most desired destination of any convict from the North who is counting down the days to their discharge.

They have keys to their own rooms, have more flexibility to move around, and may even keep budgies as pets.

And once they graduate to the external section, a paying job on the outside, weekend home visits and even en-suite facilities await.

Paul Wilson, 26, from Darlington, arrived at Kirklevington Grange 11 weeks ago after being sentenced to six years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, following Durham Police's biggest-ever drugs snare, Operation Karaman, in June 2004.

He will be up for parole in June of next year, but has been transferred from Holme House Prison, in Stockton, after passing the strict criteria and proving a willingness to change.

"It was a big shock when I got here from the bang-up jail," said Wilson.

"It's like someone has cut the reins off and let you go.

"This place is brilliant. I'm still in my induction, but I'm trying to get on a joiners course, so I can get qualified, and then I can start looking for employment."

Wilson said he had changed "100 per cent" since arriving at Kirklevington.

"I have a lot more confidence and I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

"When you are at a place like Holme House, you feel it will never end. And the prisoners are a lot better here. Everyone wants the same thing - at Holme House a lot of people were just repeat offenders."

Private rooms, while small, are not dissimilar to university halls of residence. Inmates take pride in their personal space and it is not uncommon to see potted plants, air fresheners and toiletries dotted among the family photographs, football banners and posters of scantily-clad women.

But despite the comforts and privileges, the inmates are not free to leave as they wish and all rules must be obeyed and respected.

Prison officer Graham Lee said inmates could stay awake watching TV in their rooms all night if they wished, but they still had to be up for work or college the next morning.

Inmate John, 24, who did not want to be identified, is now in full-time employment in the leisure industry, in Darlington, and is hoping to released in August after being jailed for importing drugs.

"I get to go home for ten hours every weekend and get to see my family, but I can't go out drinking. I'm on full pay, so can save for my release, and I feel as though I am getting my life back together," he said.