A prison report has shown the availability of contraband, including drugs, is leading to violence, debt and self-harming among inmates.

Despite the concerns the document released by the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) - which ensures prisoners are treated humanely - this morning concluded HMP Rochester, in Fort Road, and the neighbouring Rochester Young Offenders Institute (YOI) provide "safe and decent environments".

However, there were concerns raised about "extensive drug abuse" that makes HMP Rochester a "difficult and challenging" place.

The report, which looks at findings from 2018/19, explains how contraband such as new psychoactive substances — a category which includes synthetic cannabis Spice — and other drugs, as well as mobile phones and tobacco is leading to violence and debt among inmates.

The prison spent £150,000 on new security cameras at the site last year, however due to the open location of the prison it is hard to stop the availability of contraband.

Among other concerns raised was the increasing number of men with mental health conditions at the prison, leading to a strain on fellow inmates and staff.

Another worry for the board was the loss of prisoners' property during transfer from one prison to another and following forced moves.

"It is a challenging working environment because of the difficulties in keeping out drugs and other contraband due to the geography of the site..." HMP Rochester chairman

The IMB urged the prison to conduct a review into the management of belongings.

The abandonment of a proposed multi-million pound development at the prison has hampered its effectiveness as a resettlement facility, according to the report.

Inspectors said HMP Rochester is still recovering from the lack of maintenance during the period when closure was proposed and then abandoned.

Despite issues raised in the report, the IMB noted that "prison officers deal with offenders in their care as sympathetically and effectively as resources allow", and that the prison is a "safe and decent environment".

The chairman at HMP Rochester said: “To the credit of those working there, HMP Rochester remains a generally well-run prison.

"It is a challenging working environment because of the difficulties in keeping out drugs and other contraband due to the geography of the site.

"However, it has remained stable and is on track to achieve its key role as a resettlement prison.”

In April a 'culture of fighting' was reported at the Rochester YOI.

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