A Kent prison has suffered "unprecedented problems with drugs, bullying and violence", according to a damning report out today.

Blantyre House, in Goudhurst, is said to have seen two stabbings and a sex assault in the past year.

And seven men absconded from the prison in just 12 months - with five committing further offences while on temporary licence.

The prison experienced an increase in "difficult" prisoners, according to the Independent Monitoring Board.

Now MP Greg Clark has said he is extremely concerned about Blantyre House, a semi-open resettlement prison for up to 122 inmates.

The Conservative representative for Tunbridge Wells has written to the governor and prisons minister demanding an explanation.

"The picture this presents of the prison is alarming - this situation requires an urgent response..." - MP Greg Clark

The Independent Monitoring Board report said the past year has been "exceptionally difficult" for Blantyre House.

It said: "The increase in difficult prisoners has had implications for security both inside and outside the prison.

"There have been four Serious Incidents in the prison involving two non-fatal stabbings, a sex assault and a self-inflicted death.

"Seven men went unlawfully at large during the year, and five committed offences whilst on release on temporary licence."

The report added: "There have been unprecedented problems with drugs, bullying and violence."

On senior management, the report said the board has been "deeply concerned" about the prison - which "has seemed assailed from all sides with problems, many of which were not of its own making" and that staff morale has been at "rock bottom".

In his letter to prisons minister Jeremy Wright and Blantyre House governor James Bourke, Mr Clark said: "Blantyre House has always been a highly successful resettlement prison.

"However, this report suggests that this positive contribution to prisoner rehabilitation and the safety of the local community has been seriously compromised.

"The picture this presents of the prison is alarming - this situation requires an urgent response."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Assault and abscond levels at HMP Blantyre House are among the lowest in the prison estate, and the number of offenders spending their sentences doing constructive work has increased in recent months.

"This will help them find a job on release and reduce the chances of them reoffending.

"However, we are not complacent and will take action against anyone who threatens the safety and security of our prisons.

"We use a range of measures to keep illicit items out of prisons and will sanction anyone who is violent, with serious cases referred to the police for prosecution.

"This report will now be considered fully by ministers, who will respond in due course."

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