But it is still amongst the poorest performing jails in the country and still faces possible privatisation.

The Prison Service has increased its ranking from level one to level two out of a possible four. Although it is an improvement for the jail, it is still amongst the bottom 20%.

However, the governor, Claudia Sturt, says she is confident the jail will not have to be privatised next month, despite a warning from the Prison Service in July.

Official recognition

The prison has gained its improved ranking since Ms Sturt took over in July.

When she took on the job, she said changes had to be made to prove that Dartmoor was a fully functioning category C prison, otherwise the jail's management would be taken out of the public sector.

Claudia Sturt believes the prison can avoided privatisation

She said of the new rating: "This is the first time for as long as many of us can remember that there's been an official recognition of what we know to be true is the case - Dartmoor is on the right track and it's going places. People feel good about their work."

Prison officers say the climate between managers and unions is exceptional and the amount of activities for prisoners has increased from 22 hours a week to 27.

Governor Sturt said: "I'm extremely confident that we won't be privatised.

"Dartmoor Prison has really earned this promotion and things are very good at the prison at the moment.

"There is still more that we can do, but we have proved that we are delivering what we need to. There's an enthusiasm for taking things forward because people are proud."