Complaints by prisoners in Northern Ireland fell by nearly a third last year, a new report revealed today.
But the independent watchdog who probes everything from alleged jailhouse assaults to food and healthcare issues confirmed the current level was still above predictions on his appointment.
Prisoner Ombudsman Brian Coulter also disclosed he has investigated eight deaths in custody since September 2005.
These have played a part in the increasingly complex caseload his team has been working through, Mr Coulter said in his annual report.
With some of his targets not met, he has carried out a review of case management systems in a bid to improve performances.
The Ombudsman revealed the unexpectedly high level of 368 complaints recorded during his first year in office has now fallen to 252.
He said: "The reasons for such a reduction however are less than certain and I have planned to survey prisoners early in 2007/08 with a view to clarifying these."
The latest number was still 12 per cent above annual estimations on which his office was based.
The overwhelming majority (80 per cent) were made by prisoners at Maghaberry, where most of those on lengthy sentences are held.
Another 16 per cent came from Magilligan, just 1 per cent were made by inmates at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre, while complaints from women accounted for 2 per cent.
Out of the complaints investigated 23.4 per cent were upheld, with a local resolution secured in 16.6 per cent of cases.
PA