The Independent Monitoring Board carried out inspections of the prison between July 2008 and June 2009 but the report has only just been published.

In April last year HMP Ashwell was torn apart by a 21-hour riot and the board's report recognises the impact of this event in affecting the report.

In its preface, it states: "The whole basis for this report changed on Good Friday following a serious disturbance when 420 out of the 610 prisoners were shipped out and following which, staffing cuts were made."

The report goes on to praise the staff's efforts, describing them as "inspirational".

Most recently it was announced the prison could be reclassified to hold foreign offenders waiting to be deported.

However, more than six month ago, when the report was put together, it was calling for the prison's future to be resolved.

It states: "It is incredibly heartening to see the way staff have responded but very frustrating that no decision has yet been made on the future of Ashwell."