PRISON officer numbers at HMP Bullingdon are set to dramatically increase in a bid to tackle a chronic staff shortage that had contributed to problems with drugs and violence.

About 80 new officers are being enlisted over the coming months in response to the recent problems with gangs and drug dealers at the jail near Bicester.

A report last October revealed that almost one in five prison officer jobs were vacant at the prison, threatening the safety of staff and the 1,000 plus inmates.

But HMP Bullingdon governor, Ian Blakeman, said the problems are 'improving significantly'.

He added: "Over the course of now and September we are recruiting 80 new officers, which will help to improve the staff to prisoner ratio."

Mr Blakeman said the prison, which is running at its capacity of 1,009, currently has a ratio of one prison officer to about 30 inmates.

He said: "It is the size of a small village, I would say the most challenging housing estate in Oxfordshire."

"Recruiting more officers means there will be more rehabilitation work and it will make it safer for staff and prisoners.

"They will also have more activity time out of their cells."

The update comes after the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), which carried out almost 500 visits to the prison last year, said recruitment was 'crucial' to reversing what had become 'the most volatile environment for many years' at the prison.

The report found there had been an increase in violence over the past year and it was down to 'gang activity, organised crime and drugs such as spice' inside the prison.

It said the rise in drug crimes and violence was triggered by staff shortages which saw the prison struggle to fill 65 positions in June 2017 out of its total of 368 officer roles.

Mr Blakeman said officer numbers are now at about the 360 mark, including the incoming officers up to September.

A group of prison officers were recognised last week for their hard work and commitment at HMP Bullingdon despite the challenging environment.

Among the award winners was supervising officer Dave Cox, who has worked at HMP Bullingdon tackling security since 2004.

He said the job has got harder over the years and the main problem recently is the use of spice among inmates.

Figures revealed by the Oxford Mail in July found large numbers of illicit items had been smuggled into the prison in 2016, with 270 items of contraband confiscated, including spice.

But despite the challenging role, Mr Cox said: "I just love it, I started in 2004 and just kept on going".

Mr Blakeman added: "I am constantly inspired by the work these guys do.

"I hope they inspire other people to join up and for people to realise it is a career worth investing in.

"We are looking for confident people who want a job which is challenging and rewarding in equal measure."