A DAMNING report has found that staff at a Dorset prison had "almost lost control" late last year.

Released today, the HM Inspectorate of Prisons report on HMP Guys Marsh found that drug dealing, gang rivalry, overcrowding and staff shortages at the Category C prison, near Shaftesbury, had resulted in "very high" levels of violence.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick said: "At a time when we are seeing some overall improvement in the system, HMP Guys Marsh stands out as an establishment of great concern.

"Regional managers began to take decisive action during the inspection but real risks remain and turning the prison round will take sustained support from the Prison Service nationally.

"The failures of the prison at the time of the inspection posed unacceptable risks to the public, staff and prisoners and this cannot be allowed to continue."

The unannounced inspection took place from November 10-21 last year.

Inspectors found there had been 17 assaults on staff and 53 on prisoners over the previous six months, and gangs were "operating openly" within the prison.

Inmates, many originally from Bristol and Gloucester, were described as being "frightened" by abuse and extortion connected with the trade of 'legal' drugs - such as the synthetic cannabinoid 'Spice' - and bootleg alcohol.

Two-thirds said it was easy to get access to drugs. In the Saxon 'drug treatment' wing 41 per cent reported they had developed a drug problem in the prison.

Levels of self-harm were "high", with inmates climbing dangerous structures in an attempt to be moved to the segregation unit.

Only 16 per cent of prisoners were in education or on a training course.

The report criticised the prison's "exceptionally poor" offender management with "weak" arrangements for protecting the public, but praised its mental health care provision and said most staff relationships with prisoners were "good".

Responding to the report, National Offender Management Service chief Michael Spurr said: "I accept the situation at the time wasn't acceptable."

He said the prison service had a "robust plan" in place and was working with police to tackle the problems, with some offenders moved to more secure prisons.

"I visited Guys Marsh myself last month, it is now stable, operating safely, and providing a consistent and decent regime for prisoners," he said.