Bermuda's overworked prison management face their biggest test today when they will have to ensure 11 inmates are safely escorted to and from Supreme Court for the monthly arraignment session.

Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer and his management team have been forced to escort prisoners and sit with them through trials this week due to sick-outs by officers at all three prison facilities.

Eleven defendants are due to appear at the arraignment session today, but there is no indication that the dispute over staffing levels and over-crowding at Westgate Correctional Facility has been settled.

Chief Justice Austin Ward asked Mr. Dyer yesterday: "Will your present problems be resolved by tomorrow?'' Mr. Dyer, who was sitting in a Supreme Court dock with a prisoner, replied: "I have no indication at this time whether this issue will be resolved tomorrow.'' Mr. Justice Ward responded: "Then it will be interesting. There are many people because tomorrow is arraignments. Very well.'' Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox told The Royal Gazette on Monday evening that there was no likelihood of a "quick fix'' to the dispute after talks between the Prison Officers Association and the Labour Relations Office failed to make a breakthrough earlier in the day.

Ms Cox said she was examining a number of options, but refused to go into details.

Referring to Mr. Dyer and his assistants escorting prisoners to court, she said: "It is not a welcome scenario, but needs must.'' Mr. Dyer, Assistant Prison Commissioner Randall Woolridge and Deputy Prison Commissioner Marvin Trott have been forced to escort prisoners to court this week and sit in the dock with them throughout their trials.

Police officers from Hamilton Police Station helped them yesterday at Supreme Court, but a Police spokeswoman was unable to say whether a formal request had been made for help today.

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