LANCASTER Farms Prison has been heavily criticised for failing to meet basic international standards.

Considered a beacon of excellence in the British prison system, the young offenders institution has been slammed by the penal reform group Howard League for breaching basic guidelines set by the United Nations.

A new report published by the reform group suggests that, despite recent improvements, there are still areas of concern about the way 15 to 17 year old offenders are treated.

These include limited access to daylight and fresh air, supervision by staff with no specialist training, bullying and a lack of rehabilitation and preparation for release.

The Howard League claim the prison regime breaches the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the author of the report, Charlotte Day, said: "Children in prison may have committed crimes but they are still children. They should be entitled to the same level of care and protection provided for children in every other setting.

"The UK ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and, as a signatory, is committed to meeting the minimum standards outlined in the treaty."

"Recent changes to the youth justice system, including the introduction of the Youth Justice Board and the imposition of standards, have improved access to activities for children -- but the fundamental character of prison is unchanged. Prisons are institutions designed for security rather than care and the Howard League is concerned that they still fail to meet the needs of children."

Lancaster Farms, which holds up to 130 juveniles aged between 15 to 17 and up to 366 young adults aged between 18 - 20, recently received a glowing report from the Inspector of Prisons.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are currently digesting the report and will be commenting shortly."