Former Bermuda Regiment Commander Eddie Lamb is set to be unveiled as the new Prison Commissioner designate on Tuesday. understands Lt. Col. Lamb will be sent overseas for training while UK prison consultant Bryan Payling temporarily fills the hot-seat before departing next September.

The shock move sees Lt. Col. Lamb parachuted into the top post above high ranking officers, including the three recently-appointed Assistant Commissioners ? Keeva Joell-Benjamin, Lionel Hubert Young and Clarence Davis.

It is understood the appointment has led the Prison Officers Association (POA) to question why overseas training can be made available to an outsider and not officers with years of experience.

However the POA did not wish to comment last night ahead of next week's announcement.

One senior prison management source said: "We have asked for overseas training ? just like with the Police Commissioner ? but it doesn't happen.

"Then along comes a new commissioner and just like that he's sent overseas for training.

"It's a steep learning curve."

But the source indicated officers would be willing to work with Lt. Col. Lamb. "Even if he doesn't have a clue about corrections."

The appointment had the blessing of Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Maxwell Burgess who said: "I think it is a good thing. I think he would bring a sense of discipline and standards."

But he said it was important Lt. Col. Lamb had a team around him able to tackle reform. Without that there was the risk of "wasting a talented Bermudian" said Mr. Burgess.

Asked about the wisdom of hiring someone for the top post with no experience Mr. Burgess said he had already urged Government to widen its search beyond the prison service.

Lt. Col. Lamb won admirers in Government for his handling of the regiment during his four-year stint at the top ? the culmination of a 26-year Regiment career for the St. David's Islander.

However the last ex-military man to hold the top Prisons post ? Jamaican Lt. Col. John Prescod ? was wildly unpopular with staff and had to be paid off early by Government after his reign provoked POA strikes.