Standards of accommodation at a Sussex open prison have been condemned and concern raised it is housing unsuitable inmates.

Members of a watchdog say quick conversions of accommodation at Ford Open Prison, near Arundel, have resulted in men doubling up, in some cases 12 to 14 having to share facilities meant for six.

The problem is highlighted in an annual report by the prison's board of visitors, which also raised fears inmates not fit for open prison conditions were being housed.

In the report, covering the period September 2001 to August 2002, inspectors say: "The standard of residential accommodation should be urgently improved, in some cases, to provide decent living conditions for all prisoners."

It added the prison suffered an infestation of rats last year.

In October last year, The Argus reported how Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers called for the standard of accommodation to be urgently improved.

Referring to unsuitable prisoners being housed at the category D facility, which should take those not deemed a threat, inspectors said: "The board is still seeking assurance from senior prison service management that more action will be taken to categorise prisoners before transfer to an establishment consistent with their level of security risk."

Some prisoners transferred to Ford to prepare for release under the new electronic tagging system, called home detention curfew, are also having to stay longer than expected because prisons are not sending the necessary paperwork with them.

The report said: "In the last three months records show on average 50 prisoners a month have had the concession denied them through no fault of their own."

The board was also concerned at the failure of the prison service to promptly implement pay increases to staff.

Overall, the board said governor Ken Kan was continuing to make improvements at the prison and it had an effective regime.

The board described the prison's works department as excellent.

A spokesman for the prison service said problems highlighted were the same as those faced in all open prisons.