A prison sports centre, complete with indoor rowing machines, cross-trainers and treadmills, has become the first of its kind to be recognised by the government for customer service.

The PE department at HMP Isle of Wight, which caters for both prisoners and staff, has received the Government Standard for Customer Service Excellence in recognition of its customer insight, customer-focused culture, information and access, delivery and quality of service.

Andy Taylor from the department said the gym, which also has facilities for indoor sports, was designed to help prisoners and staff with their fitness training.

"It means people on the outside can see what we do and how we perform at a national standard," he said.

HMP Isle of Wight, which holds approximately 1,700 prisoners on three sites, now hopes to go on to achieve even higher standards in customer excellence.

The Government Standard for Customer Service Excellence aims to drive improvement and the development of skills, in addition to validating achievement.