The Minister for Prisons has reassured an MP that he is committed to ensuring Lewes Prison is “safe, secure and decent”.

MP for Lewes Norman Baker wrote to Andrew Selous MP after stories published by The Argus that revealed concerns from serving prison officers and inmates about how the jail was operating.

Prison officer Kim Lennon claimed she feared for her and her colleagues’ safety due to staff shortages, which in turn meant inmates were spending longer in their cells and becoming increasingly frustrated and violent.

She also told of alleged rife drug use.

A separate article published in this newspaper last month, featuring diary extracts from a Lewes prisoner, backed up some of the claims.

Lewes Prison governor Nigel Foote resigned last month although the Ministry of Justice said Mr Foote’s departure was not connected to any of the allegations.

The Ministry of Justice say staffing levels at Lewes Prison are safe and sensible.

But Mr Baker said there were “more questions than answers” following the revelations and wrote to the Minister for Prisons last month.

In a letter addressed to Mr Baker, Minister for Prisons Andrew Selous says the newspaper has made a number of “unsubstantiated” claims – including news that governor Nigel Foote resigned due to the “establishment failing”.

However The Argus has not previously linked Mr Foote’s resignation with the allegations about the prison.

Mr Selous continues: “As I said in our telephone call, I am committed to ensuring Lewes is safe, decent and secure for all who are held in and work there. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss your concerns.”

MP Norman Baker said: “On the face of it, the minister’s reply is somewhat reassuring, but given the nature and intensity of allegations made, I will be keeping a close eye on developments and intend to visit the prison myself again in due course.”