The governor of Bullingdon Prison has criticised a judge's decision not to send a drug addict to the jail because of the easy availability of drugs as "unhelpful and inaccurate".

Bullingdon Prison governor Sue Saunders

Addict Simon Day, 24, had admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply when he appeared at Oxford Crown Court.

But he escaped a prison sentence for selling drugs in Banbury when the judge was reminded by defence counsel how prevalent Class A drugs were at Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester.

Judge Christopher Compston issued a drugs treatment and testing order, telling Day, of Ilmington, Stratford-upon-Avon, on April 22: "You would only have come out worse if you went to prison.".

Bullingdon governor Sue Saunders said the judge's comments were "unhelpful and inaccurate" and added that they did not reflect the excellent work staff were doing to challenge drugs misuse.

She added: "We have to be honest and say that there are drugs in prisons, including Bullingdon, and we are fighting a constant battle against it."

Mrs Saunders said two visitors were detained on April 22, with one arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs.

Anti-drugs measures include CCTV coverage in the visitor area, regular mandatory drugs tests, and a detoxification programme which last year served 910 inmates.

More draconian measures, such as strip-searching all visitors, would undermine the prison's wider work geared towards preventing re-offending, Mrs Saunders added.

Government inspectors praised efforts by Mrs Saunders and her staff to tackle drugs misuse at the inspection last year, said Mrs Saunders.

Government statistics have revealed that 75 per cent of prisoners have used drugs in the 24 hours before their arrest.

Judge Christopher Compston said his first thought was to send Day to prison but he changed his mind after defence barrister Rachel Drake said: "You know as well as I do how easy it is to get hold of Class A drugs in Bullingdon."

Les Sibley, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for Banbury and county councillor for Bicester North, yesterday called for an inquiry into the availability of drugs at the jail.

But Paul McCabe, director of Oxford-based drugs education charity Energy and Vision, said he respected the judge for sticking his neck out.

He said: "The defendant will be tested regularly under the Drug Testing and Treatment Order and, if the tests are positive, he will be straight back in front of this judge."

Tony Baldry, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Banbury, said: "If I am re-elected on May 5 I will certainly take this issue up."

Zoe Patrick, Liberal Democrat candidate for the constituency, refused to comment.