AS a local young offenders' institution prepares to commemorate its 30th anniversary, one of its longest-serving officers has been taking a look back at its three decades in Teesdale.

Principal officer Alan Dobie arrived at Deerbolt in Barnard Castle on June 4, 1973, exactly a month before the first inmates arrived from Manchester.

Apart from a four-year spell at Frankland prison in Durham, he has remained at Deerbolt, from where he will retire in December.

"It does not seem like 30 years," he told the D&S Times. "It was a former army camp until the Home Office purchased the land from the Ministry of Defence, and the first prisoners were 15 Borstal boys."

He recalled how their sentences ranged from six months to two years, but the time they actually served was determined by their progress on site.

"If they behaved they could be out in 26 weeks," said Mr Dobie. "Sentences for the current Deerbolt are up to four years, but we have no control over release dates."

Unbelievable as it now seems, those first inmates were housed in dormitories which had no bars on the windows. The only form of security on the doors was a piece of doweling wedged through the handles.

"It was half cut through in the middle so that you could break it and get them out if there was fire!" said Mr Dobie.

These days most cells have self-contained washing and toilet facilities, but 30 years ago there was no such luxury.

By September, 1973, there were 45 Borstal boys in three dormitories, with three lavatories and wash basins between them. Showers were in a separate block and inmates were marched there, as they were to every destination around the prison. They were also made to do PE, which is no longer compulsory.

The first governor was Dennis Marsden, but he was only involved in the setting up process and, when the first inmates arrived, Rodney Nash was in charge. The current governor is Alan Tallentire, who arrived last November.

In the early days there was a self-build programme, which led to prisoners constructing many of the buildings themselves. I, A and F wings were three which were built using inmate labour.

"It was actually part of their training that they learn to lay bricks, plumbing and joinery," said Mr Dobie. "They were expected to learn a trade as they went along."

Crimes 30 years ago followed a similar trend to the present, with offenders sent down for such things as burglary and shoplifting, although car crime was virtually unheard of.

Mr Dobie says the main difference these days is that they are more into drug-taking. Prisoners are also more confrontational with staff and are more willing to use verbal abuse and violence.

There are now 400 prisoners at Deerbolt and the emphasis is more on rehabilitation. There is more testing for drugs, and a programme has been introduced to try and wean addicts off them.

Education has vastly expanded down the years, along with dealing with personal problems and addressing life skills.

"In 1973 most of the time was spent outdoors, because the dormitories were not interlinked," said Mr Dobie. "But the military element has gone now."

In the old days prisoners were paid about 10 shillings (50p) a week cash, out of which they had to save for when they were released. They had to work for their pay, often on gardening detail, putting in longer hours at more physical work than is done today.

Mr Dobie recalls how staff were also paid in cash, on a weekly basis, and had to collect it at 11.30 from the administration block on Thursdays, even if it was their day off.

All staff had to live in prison quarters 30 years ago, which often led to a communal, family feel. Now, staff can buy their own houses and choose to live where they like, rather than within easy reach of their workplace, which has led to a more fragmented atmosphere.

Mr Dobie has enjoyed his time at Deerbolt, which he feels is highly regarded in the prison service.

It has been held up as a flagship establishment for its innovative reward programme and the work done to resettle offenders into normal life.

The land in and around Deerbolt is beautifully landscaped, surroundings which are appreciated by staff but lost on some inmates, who become totally disorientated by the open space.

Mr Dobie recalled how one lad escaped from a work detail. Having crossed the Tees three times, he believed he had crossed three separate rivers and was near his home on Wearside, instead of a couple of miles upstream from the prison.

However, due to changes in licensing conditions there are tougher restrictions on those allowed out now.

Details of up to 20 lads used to be taken to Woodside in Barnard Castle to cut the grass, while bank holidays saw them go out on hiking trips. But these days only two might be allowed out into the community at any given time.

Deerbolt is still called "the Borstal" by many local people, even though it became a Youth Custody Centre in 1981 and a Young Offenders Institution three years later.

As it prepares to commemorate its 30th birthday, it is inviting former members of staff to get in touch. There will be an open afternoon on Saturday, July 5, followed by an evening event to raise funds for local charities, the exact format of which has yet to be worked out.

Former staff wanting to attend can contact Mr Dobie at Deerbolt, Bowes Road, Barnard Castle DL12 9BG or on 01833 633200, ext 3271.