Sir, – In July a copy of the annual report of the Independent Monitoring Board of HMP and YOI Northallerton was sent to you and produced no response.

In previous years your paper has been quick to pick up on negative points; this report was positive, and the IMB would have liked to see a positive comment on it in your columns.

This year we have reported on the gradual introduction of adult offenders, and on the development of resettlement services. The emphasis is on requirements leading to ROTL (release on temporary licence).

New initiatives include a hospitality suite, work-place training in a small ‘company’ called Northallerton Business Solutions, and a barbers’ training salon.

These developments could not have proved as successful without the huge efforts of the governor, the senior management team and all members of staff: this, as we report, is Northallerton’s great strength.

The Independent Monitoring Board is proud of the prison’s work, and is keen to share these achievements with the local community.

NORMA FOWLER Chair of the IMB, HMP and YOI Northallerton.

Å Editor's note: We have no record of having seen this report.

We did, however, report the favourable findings of the prison inspectorate in June this year.