PRESTON Prison has been praised by inspectors for the high standard of its resettlement policy, which helps short-term and remand prisoners reintegrate into the community.

A new report was published today, following an unannounced inspection at the prison, which houses many of East Lancashire's prisoners, in April.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the comprehensive resettlement strategy at HMP Preston should be applauded.

It involves assessing the needs of remand and short-sentence prisoners when they arrive and assistance is provided with employment, housing, family ties and community contact.

Mrs Owers said: "The importance of resettlement, and its relative neglect for short-term prisoners and in hard-pressed local prisons, is something the inspectorate has focused on.

"With rare exceptions, proactive resettlement work is weak and under resourced. Preston is one of those rare exceptions.

"Preston is also to be congratulated for its excellent staff-prisoner relationships, with regular association and time out of cell.

"We are aware that this had not always been the case in prison, and governors and staff are to be congratulated in achieving this culture change."