A PRISON governor has praised staff and the public for helping to create "a beacon from which similar prisons would do well to learn".

Kieron Taylor, governor of HMP Blantyre House at Goudhurst, thanked members of the community and prison staff for their input following a report from Anne Owers, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, which praised the prison as exceptional, with staff-prisoner relationships being among the best in the country.

He said: "To be referred to as a beacon is a fantastic achievement, I would like to thank all the staff and members of the community. Without their support we would have really struggled."

The report, published this week, praised in particular a clean healthy environment with high quality food, an emphasis on giving prisoners responsibility, and a wide range of activities to help prisoners prepare for release into the community.

Clayto Capetta, 41, who has 22 months left to serve of a sentence for a drug offence, praised staff for their support and help in rebuilding his life.

He said: "The staff are very supportive and the emphasis is on prisoners having more responsibilities and committing to changing their lives.

"They put a lot of trust in us and treat us like human beings, and in return we trust them. We know that if we mess up in any way we’re out.

"If there were more prisons like Blantyre House there would be fewer criminals on the streets."

The report pointed out quality of teaching and the range of jobs available to prisoners as areas for improvement.

Mr Taylor said: "We now want to encourage greater links with the community and we are looking for teachers, musicians, first aiders, and anyone with an area of expertise to offer their support and help give prisoners the best possible chance of staying out of prison after they are released."