The library and music room are often closed due to lack of staff

The Independent Monitoring Board report into HMYOI Huntercombe, Oxon, lists eight areas where the institution fails to rehabilitate young offenders.

But it praises prison staff and the prison's approach to race relations.

Kevin Legget, governor of Huntercombe, broadly agreed with the report but said funding was a major problem.

Long waits

The report, for the period July 2005 to December 2006, said: "There is currently no programme in place to tackle offending behaviour.

"Young people regularly arrive at the prison late at night after long waits in court cells.

"Young people with serious mental health issues continue to be sent to Huntercombe despite the fact that the prison does not have the facilities or resources to treat them."

The report also criticised the long distances families had to travel to make visits to the institution which houses 360 boys aged 15 to 18.

Young people are arriving at the prison as late as midnight which is both distressing and potentially dangerous for prisoners Kevin Leggett

Mr Leggett said: "I am broadly happy with this report although I would question a number of points raised by the IMB.

"Funding at Huntercombe has been and continues to be an issue.

"For instance, offending behaviour programmes are not offered at Huntercombe because the YJB [Youth Justice Board] prefers to focus funding streams on education.

"However, I agree wholeheartedly with the IMB's concern about arrival times from courts.

"Young people are arriving at the prison as late as midnight which is both distressing and potentially dangerous for prisoners."

The report did commend the prison in a number of areas including its record on race relations, the commitment of its mental health workers and prison staff, and the institution's multi-disciplinary approach.

It said: "The environment is generally safe, despite the huge numbers of young people which Huntercombe has to manage."