THE region's only privately-run secure training centre, recently condemned by the Government for "disruption and turbulence", stands to benefit from a £40m scheme.

The Youth Justice Board (YJB), which has ultimate responsibility for Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, at Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, has issued a detailed £40m improvement for its centres across the country.

The YJB published its report on the same day that the HM Inspectorate for Prisons criticised young offenders institutions for failing to provide adequate training and education.

Hassockfield was not implicated in the HM Inspectorate report, but was criticised in a separate Social Services Inspectorate report earlier this year.

The inspectorate said the 40 hardcore offenders, aged 12 to 17, at Hassockfield had been allowed to be disruptive but added that the situation at the centre had significantly improved after a change of management.

The YJB says it has agreed a plan with the Home Office, which will mean £40m investment over a three-year period, to help achieve the target of providing a minimum of 30 hours of education.

A spokesman for Premier Prisons, which runs Hassockfield, said it was too early to comment as the YJB report was still being considered.