PRISON watchdogs have called for action to tackle bullying in a Wigan young offenders' institution.

Although the prisons inspectors said that Hindley had a generally safe environment for the youngsters in its care, too many of them felt victimised by other prisoners.

The chief inspector, Anne Owers, said: "While Hindley was generally safe, managers need to give the same attention and focus to anti-bullying work as they have given to the prevention of suicide and self-harm, as both are essential parts of a safer prison environment."

She sent an inspection team to Hindley which found that the procedures to stop suicide were a model for other prisons.

There was plenty for the inmates to do, including education, and there was training for when youngsters aged between 15 and 21 left the prison.

Opportunities

Ms Owers also said that the governor was keeping an eye on the high rates of use of force and restraint techniques, designed for adults rather than young people. The inspectors' report had some criticisms of Hindley.

It said that there were not enough opportunities for inmates to spend time in the fresh air, race relations work had to be strengthened and the quality and quantity of food and prison clothing were inadequate.

There was also a stark contrast between the "grubby and impoverished" accommodation of the young adults and that of the juveniles.

"Such relative deprivation on a split site is difficult to justify, not least to the young people themselves," said Ms Owers.

Commenting on the report the prison service director of operations Michael Spurr said he was concerned about the bullying.

However he claimed that the prison was tackling the problem robustly and intended to bring in an anti-bullying policy.

The majority of prisoners at Hindley come from Greater Manchester or the West Midlands.