The governor of Ford jail has hit back at criticisms of his regime in a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons.

In an inspection report published today, Sir David Ramsbotham said both inmates and staff at the open prison near Arundel had been bullied.

And he said graduate prisoners were encouraged to take basic literacy and numeracy tests to boost education performance figures, a practice he described as "morally corrupt".

Sir David said: "Education (in this instance) is not about the needs of individuals but about conforming to key performance indicators. I have to say that I find this both cynical and immoral."

The report added: "The regime appeared to be being driven more by key performance targets than by the needs of prisoners."

He said the inspectors were told that the practice was common throughout the Prison Service.

The report also criticised the prison for bullying inmates and threatening to move them if they complained.

Sir David's report said: "Many prisoners, particularly lifers and other long-term prisoners, thought that they would benefit more in other prisons.

"Many told us that they were afraid to make complaints because of the possible consequences."

In one instance, the inspection team were told by prisoners that one inmate, who had wanted to make a racial complaint, had been transferred to another open prison a week before the inspectors arrived.

The bullying of staff was also highlighted, with the prison's farm manager being pressured by the governor and prison area manager into winning more outside contracts to boost prison income.

The report said: "He was more worried about budgets and profit than he was about prisoner training."

But Ford's governor and area manager today refuted the allegations of bullying and said the report was factually inaccurate in places.

Prison Service area manager Tom Murtagh said: "All prisoners are assessed in terms of education and qualifications when they arrive and that includes individuals who claim to have degrees, because we have had people in the past claiming to have degrees and even failing basic numeracy and literacy tests.

"It is only those people who are identified as being below a certain level who are included in the key performance targets."

Mr Murtagh added: "There is a statement in this report which suggests prisoners are frightened to complain and that they are bullied by staff. This is a grievous allegation and a very serious one.

"We have investigated the allegations and there was no evidence to support them."

He added: "There is a danger when you read the preface that you get the impression this is a negative report.

"There is some very good work that has taken place at Ford prison and when you read the main body of the report it is in stark contrast to what is in the preface.

"Forty-six areas of good practice were identified and the report in some areas contradicts those negative suggestions."

Governor Ken Kan said he conducted a thorough investigation following allegations that staff bullied prisoners.

He said: "We have found no evidence to back these up.

"If you read the main body of the report it is really a good report. This is a good prison, otherwise I wouldn't be here."

The report praised the prison's anti-bullying policy statement and said the prison's health care was "arguably higher than could be expected in the NHS".

The prison farm was also congratulated for making a profit.