A TEENAGER has slammed the rosy picture painted of Britain's first "boot camp" claiming it is rife with drugs, black market dealing and bullying.

Andrew Blackwell, 19, was an inmate at the Thorn Cross young offenders institution in Cheshire for seven months and says he saw a totally different side to the controversial centre than prison inspectors who have given it a glowing report.

He says the regime was a strict "living hell" with 6am wake-up calls, 10-mile runs, and punishments for not keeping up which made him consider running away more than once.

But far worse was the poor security, bullying and drug dealing which he claims boot camp staff turned a blind eye to.

Sir David Ramsbotham, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said Thorn Cross was an inspirational example of what could be achieved with the right resources and management.

Andrew, who has lived with his mum at Carlton Gardens, Blackburn, since his release in September, said: "When I read in the paper about how inspiring Thorn Cross was I couldn't believe it - it certainly didn't inspire me.

"I was in there for attempted robbery, which was a one-off when I was drunk and depressed after falling out with my mum and my girlfriend. I'd never been involved with crime before or since. "But while I was there some prisoners were released, re-offended, and were back in again before I'd served my seven months - so much for rehabilitation!"

Andrew now works part-time at a residential home.

He added: "Drugs were being brought in at visits and were sold between inmates. It was mostly cannabis but I did see methadone in there as well."

Andrew says he also saw a black market in operation as inmates who sold drugs could afford to buy sweets and fruit juice at meal times and then sell them on for double the price once the canteen had closed.

He said: "The worst thing was the bullying. Some people got a really hard time. I was all right because there were quite a few other lads there from Blackburn. But some people couldn't defend themselves, and if they complained to the staff the bullying got worse."

A spokesperson for the prison service said: "When I have taken members of the press to Thorn Cross to interview inmates they have made some very positive comments about the regime. They believe it offers them training and the hope of getting a job once they are released, which is a different view to the one this person has expressed."

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