Inmates are getting regular deliveries of alcohol at an open prison, a court heard.

Crates of drink are sent to Ford, near Arundel, allowing inmates to help themselves, it is alleged.

Defence solicitor Sharon Taylor made the claims about the category D prison during a court case in Bournemouth.

She argued her client Felix Raynes should receive treatment in the community rather than being sent back to Ford where he had previously served time.

Raynes, 41, of Marquis Way, Bournemouth, had admitted drink driving and driving while disqualified and on licence for a previous offence.

Ms Taylor said: "I have heard lots of stories from clients about Ford Open Prison. Apparently there is a window where you can see the crates of alcohol being delivered on a weekly basis.

"Alcohol is available in all of the open prisons."

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said inmates in all prisons are forbidden from drinking alcohol.

In 2005 and 2006, 16 per cent of inmates at Ford failed mandatory drugs tests.

That figure fell slightly to 13.8 per cent of inmates by March last year.

Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, is due to visit Ford today.

He said: "Clearly, alcohol and drugs should not be available in prisons. Any suggestion that they are will be of concern."

In November Mr Herbert claimed Britain's jails, including those in Sussex, were awash with drugs.

He believed inmates at Ford had easy access to illegal substances including cocaine and ecstasy. He told The Argus: "This is part of a national picture in British jails where drugs are a massive problem."

He proposed drug offenders are jailed in separate units where they are unable to mix with other inmates.

He suggested criminals on drugs charges, who currently escape custody in favour of testing and treatment orders, should be taken to residential rehabilitation courses.

Mr Herbert said: "There is clear evidence some people are starting to take drugs for the first time while in prison.

"Our proposals would be to separate those convicted for drugs offences and to house them in separate secure units."

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "Searches are undertaken when we have intelligence to suggest that contraband will be entering the establishment and other targeted searches are regularly carried out."

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