Northallerton Prison was this week celebrating an inspection report which praises its work with young offenders.

The report says the jail is doing well in its new role as a resettlement establishment. Previous poor practice was being put right and action being taken to develop a resettlement strategy.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owens said if the prison achieved this aim it would become an effective resource for the local area. But the report also spotlighted work which still needs to be done.

And recommendations include immediate action to eliminate all possible ligature points. This had been pinpointed in a previous report and Ms Owens still wants to see action on this.

Acting governor Mark Howell paid tribute to the work his predecessor Martin Ward had done to turn the jail around and also praised the efforts of prison staff and partner organisations.

"This report is recognition of the hard work by staff over the past few years," he said.

Northallerton is a Young Offenders Institution and the report was drawn up after an unannounced visit in January.

Ms Owens said: "Most of the good practice identified in the last inspection had been retained and most poor practice rectified. This represents considerable commitment and work from staff.

"The prison's focus was on processing young men for home detention curfew (HDC) and preparing them for release.

"But Northallerton had not developed a resettlement policy or strategy and without this risked becoming a staging post to HDC, rather than a bridge between custody and the community."

Ms Owens said it was clear the prison was already aware of this issue and working to address it.

Dating from the 1780s, Northallerton is the country's oldest purpose-built prison still in operation. With a total staff of 130, it houses male offenders aged 18 to 21, all convicted and from across the North of England.

Previously a remand centre, it can hold 250 short-term prisoners whose average stay is five to seven weeks.

"Our priority is the effective resettlement of prisoners, not an easy job in such a short space of time," said Mr Howell.

"Previous poor practice focused on perceived weaknesses in resettlement strategy and we have now revised our procedures.

Mr Howell said the prison has a Job Club which helps inmates search for work.

And future plans include installing in-cell electricity across the prison for items such as TVs to boost the jail's education programme.