An unannounced inspection has found a North East prison has improved in many aspects of its health and social care delivery.

A visit from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons to HMP Holme House in Stockton in March found the prison had improved in three of four healthy prison tests since its last inspection in 2020.

They said there was a "particularly marked improvement" in the relationship between staff and inmates.

They also praised the delivery of healthcare, the "exceptionally high standard" of social care, and mental health provision.

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Additionally, the inspector noted a good working relationship between healthcare workers and prisoners.

They said the greatest improvement observed in this year's report were staff's respectful treatment of inmates.

This comes after the prison was found to be "insufficiently good" in a report back in early 2020.

The inspectorate made 35 recommendations, 15 of which were considered key areas of concern.

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The prison fully accepted 32 of the recommendations and partially (or subject to resources) accepted one. It rejected two of the recommendations.

The inspection has now found Holme House to be a "considerably safer prison."

The report said: "Prisoners live in a safe, well ordered and motivational environment where their positive behaviour is promoted and rewarded.

"Unacceptable conduct is dealt with in an objective, fair, proportionate and consistent manner.

Speaking on the report's findings, Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector, said: "There were some staffing pressures, but we found that staff morale and staff retention were better than in many prisons.

"If the quality of leadership at Holme House can be maintained, working hard to foster a shared, participative and rehabilitative culture, the prospects for further improvement must be good.

"There were some staffing pressures, but we found that staff morale and staff retention were better than in many prisons.

"If the quality of leadership at Holme House can be maintained, working hard to foster a shared, participative and rehabilitative culture, the prospects for further improvement must be good"

The prison also employs the use of 'Listeners,' prisoners trained by Samaritans to provide confidential emotional support to fellow inmates.

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At this inspection, it was found that five of the recommendations about areas of key concern had been achieved, three had been partially achieved and seven had not been achieved.

HMP Holme House is a category C training and resettlement prison for male prisoners.

It holds 1,160 prisoners and has an operational capacity of 1,179, and receives 1,600 new inmates each year.