The Prison Officers? Association (POA) has again expressed anxiety about the axing of two top Bermudian managers alongside Commissioner John Prescod.

POA chairman Mike Tuzo said his union?s objective had been specifically aimed at the removal of Mr. Prescod.

During a four-day strike last year, the POA said Mr. Prescod was arrogant, autocratic and had failed to implement most of the recommendations of a 2001 Board of Inquiry.

Government set up an independent review body, headed by Rev. Goodwin Smith, which recommended the top trio go.

At a Press conference yesterday Mr. Tuzo said the POA felt ?fully vindicated and exonerated? that the panel chose to rule in favour of Prescod going.

But he added: ?The inclusion of Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Marvin Trott, and Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Randall Woolridge, in the review was the mandate of the former Premier with some concern to the Association.?

He said the Government under Jennifer Smith had made it clear Mr. Prescod would stay after the Association called for him to go but had then included Deputy Commissioner Marvin Trott and Assistant Commissioner Randall Woolridge in a review of the management of the service.

?We had two meetings with the former Premier and some of her Cabinet Ministers and the Attorney General.

?At that time that was the only offer put on the table. It was more or less take it or leave it.?

Mr. Woolridge is a member of the POA while Mr. Trott is a member of another union, according to Mr. Tuzo.

He said negotiations were continuing with the Government but he admitted it was normal that the POA did not get involved in the interview process for prison leadership.

?That?s purely a Government matter.?

Government is bringing former Assistant Commissioner Hubert Dean out of retirement to fill the post of Acting Commissioner of Corrections for six months, until a permanent replacement can be found.

The Association declined to comment on Mr. Dean?s appointment.

Mr. Tuzo said there were still problems with overcrowding which had been longstanding and he said the POA was committed to rehabilitation, but he added: ?We have some concerns with reference to ATI (Alternatives to Incarceration) and we have made our submissions to Government in reference to our concerns on the matter.?

Mr. Prescod declined to discuss his early departure with .

His three-year contract was due to expire in May next year but he will go ten months early.

He said on Monday: ?I abide by the decision.?

Mr. Tuzo said the POA was still willing to embrace change.

?It is imperative for the sake of the Country that in light of the final decision, all parties involved come to the table and discuss the issues that affect a vital part of the judiciary system, a part of the system that has been neglected for many years, used for political posturing and has been maligned by a few political candidates for electoral gain.?

In May the POA had said sacking all three prison leaders at once could weaken the organisation. It was thought prison officers favoured Mr. Woolridge over Mr. Trott but ultimately wanted new heads running the service.