A prison watchdog has raised concerns about inmates at HMP Bullingdon spending too much time locked in their cells.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has said that the time prisoners spend in cells could have “serious consequences” for rehabilitating prisoners and reducing reoffending.

The report – carried out as part of the North Oxfordshire prison’s annual report covering 2014/15 – highlighted the concerns in relation to the level of purposeful activity for prisoners.

IMB Bullingdon chairman Paul Miller said: “Staffing shortages, Bullingdon’s role in rehabilitating prisoners prior to release and the strong churn rate remain significant issues.

“Various initiatives to bring about improvements have been introduced following the arrival of the present governing governor.

“The IMB believes these are likely to have a positive impact over time.”

Mr Miller added that although the pace of change was slow increased recruitment over the past six months has provided a better response.

The report listed a high rate of staff sickness and recruitment difficulties as “major challenges” for the prison and also noted the level of violence has increased.

It said the difficulties had been compounded by the high “churn” rate where prisoners are transferred in and out the prison often after short notice.

Bullingdon Prison runs with a capacity to take 1,114 inmates across six main blocking of double and single cells.

Prisoners are brought in from Oxford and Reading Crown Courts and Magistrates in Banbury, Witney, Bicester, Didcot, Wantage and several outside the county.

The report also highlighted “positive improvements” at the prison including a reduction in waiting lists for healthcare and a high level of attendance.

It also praised the reinstatement of the monthly library reading group and weekly surgeries between prisoners and offender supervisors.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "As this report recognises, staff at HMP Bullingdon are committed and professional in carrying out their roles.

“Last year, 26 additional prison officers were recruited and a further 18 will be starting at the prison this month.

“We are clear that violence in our prisons is unacceptable and those responsible will face being reported to the police and spending extra time behind bars.”