THE Island’s prison population swelled to its highest level ever last year.

Figures released in the HM Prison La Moye annual report for 2007 reveal that there were, on average, 183 inmates locked up each day. The comparative figures for previous years were 174 in 2006, 172 in 2005 and 171 in 2004.

In addition, the population on at least one day hit the 200 mark for the first time. The fewest prisoners incarcerated at La Moye on any one day last year was 172, compared to an average of 158 in the three preceding years.

Despite the record figures, however, the new prison governor, Bill Millar, who took up his post in March, has given an upbeat assessment of the year. Mr Millar took over from former governor Steve Guy-Gibbens, who resigned complaining that bureaucracy was suffocating efforts to improve conditions at the jail, which have been severely criticised in successive HM Inspectors reports.

• Picture: Mr Millar