Warren Hill prison in Hollesley has been praised in a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons.

Martin Lomas, deputy chief inspector of prisons, today published the findings of an unannounced inspection of the Suffolk jail.

In September 2013 the prison was decommissioned as a young persons’ prison. Three months later it was decided it would hold category C adult male prisoners serving four years or more.

The prison was also commissioned to provide a therapeutic community as a similar facility was closing at HMP Blundeston.

Mr Lomas said: “Some impressive progress had been made at Warren Hill despite the amount and speed of change over the past couple of years.

“The progression regime had been developed from scratch to meet the needs of the group of prisoners.

“The level of innovation was impressive, and many aspects of the regime and approach adopted could provide lessons to other prisons about how resettlement and risk reduction can be placed at the heart of a prison.

“The prison was very well led and was supported by an excellent staff group. This delivered some outstanding outcomes for prisoners.”

However, inspectors also found formal learning and skills provision, including the quality of teaching, needed to improve.