CONCERN at the "appalling" health of Britain's prison population could lead to the UK's first professor of prison health being appointed in the North-East.

Officials from Durham University, County Durham and Darlington Health Authority and the North-East Prison Service have been involved in talks to set up a new academic department.

If it gets off the ground, it could provide a new focus for research and become a training centre for doctors who want to work within the prison service.

Despite a quarter of a million people passing through the UK prison service every year, there is little research carried out into the health of inmates.

Recently, the Government called for closer links between the prison health service and the NHS, because of concerns at low standards of care inside jails.

Now, a working group headed by a Dryburn Hospital consultant, Dr Sarah Pearce, is drawing up detailed proposals to establish the UK's first chair in prison health, at Durham University.

Durham is an ideal location, because of the relatively large local prison population, of around 1,800.

Dr Pearce, a chest specialist, agreed to chair the group after suggesting the plan at a seminar a year ago.

"I think it is an area which is ripe for action," said Dr Pearce, who regularly visits sick prisoners.

"Generally speaking, the health of many prisoners is appalling. Before they get to prison there is a lot of alcoholism, smoking, drugs and general neglect.

"We don't want prisoners coming out more unhealthy than they went in."

Her view was echoed by Dr Andy Clark, senior medical officer at Frankland high security prison, in Durham.

"About 26 per cent of the general population smoke, but inside Frankland that figure is 81 per cent.

"If we can improve the health of prisoners while they are with us, it means they will not make such high demands once they are in the community," he said.

Dr Clark estimates that around 50 per cent of the 520 Frankland inmates will have previously abused alcohol or drugs, and an estimated 80 per cent of those who have injected drugs will have hepatitis C.

One-in-ten inmates at the prison also have raised blood pressure, or heart conditions. About 0.5 per cent of all UK prisoners are believed to be HIV positive.

The Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend Alan Smithson, is keen on the idea of a new department.

"I very much hope this goes forward," he said.

A spokesman for the Home Office described the plan as "an interesting development".