WILTSHIRE'S police and crime commissioner visited Erlestoke prison for a tour of the facilities.

Governor Tim Knight and custodial manager Andy Miller welcomed Philip Wilkinson to the premises near Devizes earlier this week as part of the force's work to break the cycle of reoffending and ensure needs and priorities are being met.

Mr Wilkinson said: "My visit to Erlestoke was a first for me and it was a real eye-opener. I was struck by the dedication and commitment of the prison staff to provide and care for their prisoners.

"This care and the education, skills and rehabilitation programmes prisoners take part in, as part of their sentence, are key to ensuring we don't have repeat offenders entering the system over and over again."

The commissioner is chair of the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board, which brings together agencies with responsibility for delivering criminal justice services in the county.

He added: "It is important that both my office and the prison service work together, along with all other agencies, to tackle the root causes of crime and to try and break that cycle of re-offending - it's in all of our interests. By working together we can improve outcomes for victims of crime and people who offend, and deliver justice in the most efficient and effective way possible."

HMP Erlestoke governor Tim Knight said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the new PCC to HMP Erlestoke and we very much look forward to working with him, and those agencies represented on the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board, as we strive to further reduce re-offending."