MAIDSTONE Prison has emerged as one of the best jails in the south east following the release of a Home Office report.

The 180-year-old jail has been praised for being extremely well run and for promoting high levels of respect between prisoners and staff.

Adrian Smith, responsible for prisons in Kent, Sussex and Surrey said: "In terms of the general running of the prison, Maidstone compares very favourably indeed. It is one of the best, if not the best, in my area."

But the report, produced by HM Inspectorate of Prisons following a week-long inspection in January, was not all good news. Although HMP Maidstone is classed as a training prison, training and employment provision was highlighted as the weakest area.

Many of the prison's 358 inmates at the time of the report expressed frustration at the range of courses and lack of opportunities to gain employment-related qualifications.