Ford prison near Arundel has gained more plaudits than brickbats in a report by the prisons inspectorate published today.

It has avoided the scathing criticism of many other prisons in Britain, including Lewes, where conditions range from poor to horrendous.

But there is no room for complacency at the jail which has provided homes for many famous prisoners in the past.

There is evidence of petty rules and regulations which make it hard for many prisoners to file complaints.

No one expects prison to be a picnic. But Ford is supposed to be an open prison, with a certain element of trust not possible in closed jails.

The verdict on Ford, echoed by many of its inmates, is like an old-fashioned school report - could do better.