STAFF at Wakefield Jail - which holds some of the country's most dangerous men - were today criticised for their "disrespectful" attitude to offenders in their care.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owers said the jail was being "over-controlled" and inmates had dubbed officers' detached style "the Wakefield Way".

A third of inmates said they had been victimised by staff, with the figure rising to 54% of prisoners over 60, inspectors found.

Some inmates said they had been assaulted by officers.

As journalists were allowed in the Category A prison for the first time today, governor John Slater said he was surprised by some of the inspectors' conclusions.

He added that there was "absolutely no substance" to the assault allegations.

Mr Slater intimated that the inspection team may not have fully appreciated the security requirements at a jail which held such dangerous offenders.