I am determined to provide a Prison Service that treats both staff and prisoners with fairness and decency

Martin Narey, Prison Service director general

There is nothing to suggest staff were mistreating prisoners, said a spokeswoman.

Prison Service director general, Martin Narey, authorised the inquiry after Holloway's governor, David Lancaster, brought the concerns to his attention.

The inquiry will look at a wide range of management issues, following the concerns that were raised after Holloway introduced an equal opportunities awareness course.

The service spokeswoman said: "No specific allegations have been made as yet but there are general concerns about management behaviour.

"If this exposes bullying on racial or sexual grounds, or any other grounds, and there is enough evidence to lead us to believe there is a case for disciplinary investigations we will go down that road."

Mr Narey said he had welcomed "robust and effective" management techniques, but would "not tolerate" bullying of staff.

The then prisons inspector walked out of Holloway "in disgust"

"I have been made aware of a number of serious concerns about the behaviour of some junior and middle managers at HMP Holloway and I have a duty to ensure they are investigated," said Mr Narey.

"I am determined to provide a Prison Service that treats both staff and prisoners with fairness and decency."

A report by the then chief inspector of prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, found women inmates at Holloway were still being neglected because the Prison Service put cost cutting first.

Sir David said in the report, published two weeks ago, the jail, which costs �40,500 per inmate to run a year, was suffering because officials put budgets ahead of prisoners' needs.

On his first visit to Holloway in 1996, Sir David walked out because he was so disgusted by conditions, but praised the jail for taking great strides since then.

The Prison Service spokeswoman said no staff had been suspended or charged under the formal disciplinary procedures.

"So far there is no timescale for the inquiry, which will be carried out by a senior woman governor," she said.