IN your article, "Boot camp stay was a 'living hell,'" (LET, January 16), Andrew Blackwell suggested that life on the High Intensity training programme (not 'boot camp') was far from rosy, citing cases of bullying, drug dealing and poor security.

Having worked on this programme since its introduction two and a half years ago, I feel I must respond.

Mr Bakewell describes the 6am wake up calls and long runs as strict, which is exactly the way the regime was designed. Staff, like me, visit closed prisons to interview prospective prisoners and the strict regime is fully explained to them.

Mr Blackwell would have been well aware of this before his inclusion in the programme.

During this selection process, prisoners are given ample opportunity to decline this training programme. Mr Blackwell was identified by staff as someone who could benefit from this opportunity and he willingly chose to take part.

Regular training in security is given to staff, however Thorn Cross is an open prison and the emphasis on security is different from other establishments. Our role is one of rehabilitation and re-integration into society.

Bullying is a major problem within society for example, at school or work and is certainly not confined to the prison environment. It is treated seriously and tackled locally and nationally by anti-bullying policies. Thorn Cross has received much praise in this area, in particular in the recent report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. Our commitment to this is such that culprits are dealt with swiftly and, on occasions, removed from the programme.

Unfortunately, drugs do exist in prisons. However, at Thorn Cross and, in particular our programme, currently has one of the lowest drug test failure rates in the service.

Mr Blackwell is entitled to his opinion but it is unfortunate that he failed to notify staff of the incidents which caused his 'living hell' and, in doing so, could have helped others.

He has obviously benefited from his attendance on the various Offending Behaviour Programmes by not re-offending and holding down a job and I wish him well in the future.

STEVE OWEN, Senior Officer, High Intensity Training Centre, HM Young Offender Institution, Thorn Cross, Arley Road, Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.