A PRISON watchdog fears that financial cuts could increase the security risk at Dorchester prison.

The comments were made in an annual report by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) about HMP Dorchester.

Judith Anstice, IMB chairman for the prison, said: “If there are to be further cuts this will impact and increase risk to security and the safety of the prison environment.”

But she praised the work of prison staff between October 2010 and September 2011, the period covered by the report, adding: “It is a tribute to staff and management that they have operated so professionally and effectively in what could have been a disabling environment.”

HMP Dorchester is a Category B Remand Prison holding adult males, both convicted and on remand, including foreign nationals held towards the end of their sentences and detainees waiting to be transferred to immigration centres. The certified normal accommodation of the prison is 147, with an operational capacity of 260.

Security was not the only area of concern raised by the report.

The IMB noted an increase in prisoner applications regarding health issues, with ten complaints made in July alone.

Mrs Anstice said that, while the increase was “of concern”, the complaints were about prescriptions and the out-of-hours doctor’s service, and the issue had since been dealt with.

She added that complaints had declined during the last two months of the report.

The IMB found that overnight health staff often work alone.

Mrs Anstice said: “There is one trained night nurse lone worker.

“This, in our opinion, is a heavy responsibility being carried by the NHS nurse. Although there is an out-of-hour call system with the emergency ambulance service, there can be delays accessing a prison at night.”

The report counted three serious incidents and two deaths in custody – although one occurred in a hospital outside the prison – during the period.

It was noted that: “The deaths were dealt with by HMP staff very professionally with empathy for prisoners, staff and relatives.”

All concerns have been passed to the Ministry for Justice, and other relevant organisations, including the National Offender Manage-ment Service (NOMS) and the Prison Service.

Finally, the board stressed the need to recruit new members.

Five members left the board during the report period, with four new members being appointed.

The Secretary of State for Justice Kenneth Clarke recommends the board consist of 12 volunteers drawn from across Dorset.

The role of the IMB is to monitor prison standards and report to the government following regular, unannounced visits.

Anyone interested in the role can visit www.justice.gov.uk/about/imb.htm or call Mrs Anstice on 01305 889783 for further information on how to apply.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service said: “We are considering the recommendations and will respond to them in due course.”