PRISON officers were set to voice their fears over Portland's Young Offender Institution when the head of the country's prisons visited today.

Martin Narey, director general of the prison service, was due to tour the controversial jail, meet inmates and talk with the Prison Officers' Association (POA) this morning.

His trip, a scheduled visit, comes after Sir David Ramsbotham, chief inspector of prisons, called for all Young Offender Institutions (YOI) to be closed.

Officers at the Portland jail have found themselves under siege amid allegations of abuse by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Chris Ball, chairman of the jail's POA, said: "The visit has been planned for some time.

"It is just one of a series of scheduled trips he undertakes around the country.

"But we will be taking the opportunity to talk to him about our concerns over the Howard League, suspended officers and about getting more money for the establishment."

YOI governor Kevin Lockyer said: "We are delighted Mr Narey is coming.

"He is coming to look around the establishment in a scheduled visit."

Sir David said, during an outburst in November, YOIs were "barbaric warehouses" that had no place in a civilised society.

He cited the YOI on Portland, where 35 former inmates alleged they had been assaulted, as evidence that the system was not working.

Four officers are currently suspended as an investigation is underway.

Officers at the institution have denied the abuse claims and say they have been attacked by inmates - including one assault where six staff were hurt last year.

The POA has repeatedly warned that a "softening" of the once notoriously tough regime at the YOI was a recipe for disaster.

The institution was recently awarded a cash boost to improve facilities and blocks.

Sir David Ramsbotham called for the Portland and Shaftesbury YOIs to be closed.

Up to 500 jobs would be at risk if the jails closed down.

Sir David has been a constant critic of young offender institutions.