PRISON governor Martin Ward yesterday labelled as unjust a report that claimed cells in his jail were in breach of human rights.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Sir David Ramsbotham said tiny cells holding two prisoners in the c-wing of Northallerton Young Offenders' Institution broke European and UK rules, and infringed the European Convention on Human Rights.

In his report, following an inspection last March, he said much needed to be done to bring cells and living standards up to an acceptable level.

He described the visiting area of the prison, which also serves as a remand centre, as "awful", calling it stark, out-of-date and unwelcoming.

But the report generally was full of praise for the prison and its staff and held up several aspects of its operation as examples of best practice, worthy of being copied at other jails.

Built in 1783 and the oldest prison in the country to be in continuous use, Northallerton's future role is under discussion.

But the report highlights the excellent work of the staff, despite the uncertainty they face.

Mr Ward, who took over as governor in April, said that while the report was generally balanced and fair, some of the criticism levelled had been unjust.

He said that since the inspection, at a time when the prison was overcrowded, C-wing had been transformed.

It had become a wing which inmates aspired towards, through privileges earned by good behaviour. Each of the 45 cells was equipped with a TV and had only one inmate. Each of the prisoners had key jobs and more association time.

One C-wing prisoner said: "I had to work to get here, and it was worth it. It's a real incentive not to slip."

The visitors' area - in a converted chapel - has also seen big improvements, the latest of which is to be provision of a crche for visitors' children.

"Substantial changes have been made here over the past six months, and they have not been cosmetic, but fundamental," said Mr Ward.