A prison was awash with drugs and alcohol just one month before a major riot, inspectors have found.
Ford Open prison was torn apart by inmates on a drunken rampage, causing £3million in damage.
In December Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons found four out of ten prisoners admitted buying drugs was ‘easy’.
They also revealed illicit alcohol was ‘common’.
A summary of the report findings were passed on to the prison's governor immediately following the inspection.
On New Year's Eve inmates rioted after drinking vast amounts of champagne, brandy, whisky and vodka smuggled into the prison.
Fires destroyed six accommodation blocks, the gym, mail room and snooker room at the prison near Arundel, West Sussex.
The report found the prison's anti-drugs strategy was in 'disarray' and that staff shortages were restricting drug tests.
Sixteen prisoners a month were being moved to 'closed' prisons because of breaking the rules or leaving the prison without permission, the report revealed.
Inspectors said levels of trust between staff and prisoners was 'in short supply'.
On the night of the riot, just two prison officers and four support staff were on duty overnight to deal with 496 inmates.
Afterwards, it emerged dangerous offenders had been transferred to Ford to ease overcrowding despite having been classified unsuitable for open conditions.
Afterwards it emerged dangerous offenders had been transferred to Ford to ease overcrowding.
Ministers have launched two separate inquiries into what happened.
Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said: 'We have put additional support in place to strengthen the management of the prison and we will use the recommendations in the report to improve the performance of the establishment.
'I am pleased the good work done by the prison on safety, suicide and self harm, healthcare, and improved security with fewer absconds, has been acknowledged.'
Ford Open prison was torn apart by inmates on a drunken rampage, causing £3million in damage.
In December Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons found four out of ten prisoners admitted buying drugs was ‘easy’.
They also revealed illicit alcohol was ‘common’.
A report has found that obtaining drink and drugs in Ford Open Prison before a riot on New Year's Eve was 'easy'
A huge fire burns during the riot as prisoners carry their belongings out of buildings at the prison
Fires destroyed six accommodation blocks, the gym, mail room and snooker room at the prison near Arundel, West Sussex.
The report found the prison's anti-drugs strategy was in 'disarray' and that staff shortages were restricting drug tests.
Sixteen prisoners a month were being moved to 'closed' prisons because of breaking the rules or leaving the prison without permission, the report revealed.
Inspectors said levels of trust between staff and prisoners was 'in short supply'.
On the night of the riot, just two prison officers and four support staff were on duty overnight to deal with 496 inmates.
Afterwards, it emerged dangerous offenders had been transferred to Ford to ease overcrowding despite having been classified unsuitable for open conditions.
Afterwards it emerged dangerous offenders had been transferred to Ford to ease overcrowding.
Ministers have launched two separate inquiries into what happened.
A police riot squad arrives at the prison to try and calm down the riot which took began on New Year's Eve
'I am pleased the good work done by the prison on safety, suicide and self harm, healthcare, and improved security with fewer absconds, has been acknowledged.'
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