A WOMEN'S prison has been heralded a success story by Government inspectors.

Low Newton Prison and Young Offender Institution, on the outskirts of Durham, has just received a top report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons.

The site only became a women's prison two years ago - the last official inspection took place while it was still a remand centre for young offenders in 1996.

In the report, due out tomorrow, the inspector said: "There have been few success stories in local prisons in the last few years and even fewer success stories in local prisons holding adult and young women. Low Newton is one of those success stories."

Although the lack of an anti-bullying scheme was singled out for criticism, with 80 per cent of women on one wing claiming they did not feel safe from thefts, relations between staff and inmates, rehabilitation, education and facilities were all praised.

The report noted how previous governor, Mike Kirby, ate with residents in the prison canteen and was also on first name terms with inmates and staff.

The drug rehabilitation wing was highly complimented. The Therapeutic Community (TC) uses a programme designed to get women off drugs and give them back their self-esteem.

One resident of the wing, Angela Wilson said: "It's not just about becoming drug-free. When you come off drugs, you get all the feelings back and all the emotions back that caused you to take them. So we're taught things like confidence building and even how to be confident in job interviews."

Throughout the prison inmates have the chance to learn other skills and there is even a simulated call centre where they can gain experience of that particular job.

New governor Dave Thompson, who took over in October, said there were still issues they needed to develop, but the report was a tremendous result for everyone.

He also had high hopes Low Newton's future.

He said: "A lot of the inmates have been neglected by services and authorities and nobody has given them the opportunity of achievement. I would like the prison service to give people the opportunity to build their self-esteem, confidence and achievements and the ability to lead a normal life like you and I have."