Prisoners say they don't get out of their cells enough

The report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers, found that parts of the jail, the largest in western Europe, were unclean and cockroach-infested.

At the time of last June's inspection, inmates were able to shower and change their clothes just once a week.

Ms Owers said that despite 95% of prisoner having basic literacy and numeracy problems, opportunities for work and education had declined since the last inspection in 1999.

Ray Peel, 44, who is serving life, said: "I spent my first night in the induction wing and conditions there were very poor.

"There were no windows and really bad draughts."

'Lock-up'

Peel said that hygiene was also a problem.

"We get to take a shower perhaps once or twice a week, and there is a problem with the hot water in the prison.

"Everybody finds they are not getting out of their cells enough. There's too much lock-up.

"We've been told education facilities will be expanded.

"We've been told things would modernise and conditions would get better. I believe them, they have been very positive."

We only get out of our cells two hours a week for 'association', sometimes not even that Prisoner Lee Hughes

Another lifer, 29-year-old Lee Hughes, from Liverpool, agreed with the report's findings but added that the prison regime had got better.

He said: "Things have improved in the two-and-a-half years that I've been here, but progress happens very slowly.

"We only get out of our cells two hours a week for 'association', sometimes not even that.

"This can have a really negative effect on people, it doesn't help rehabilitation. Frustrations build up towards the prison and the staff."

Since the inspection last June, a new governor, John Smith, has been brought in to drastically improve conditions.

Mr Smith said the prison service had already recognised the jail was under-performing and much had been done since the inspection.

Prison governor John Smith insists progress is being made

"The health centre has been redecorated. The ward subject to criticism has been closed but staffing levels maintained to improve the quality of care."

He said a new GP had been recruited, and plans for a new hospital were progressing well.

Mr Smith said the level of drug use at the prison was one of the lowest in the North West, as was the number of assaults.

He said there had been improvements in education, PE and suicide prevention work.