Three quarters of Bermuda's prison officers walked out and marched to headquarters yesterday after passing a no confidence motion against Prison Commissioner John Prescod.

The 120 officers also gave notice that they plan strike action in 21 days unless their grievances are addressed.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) members said Mr. Prescod, who was appointed last year, was autocratic and had failed to implement 23 out of 35 recommendations made following a Board of Inquiry into the service.

They also claimed Mr. Prescod was more concerned with the welfare of prisoners than of his staff.

And they demanded that promotion interviews scheduled to be held today be suspended until the dispute is resolved.

Ensuring that a Bermudian takes over the top post when Jamaican Mr. Prescod completes his contract in three years time is also understood to be a concern of staff.

POA spokesman Russ Ford said Mr. Prescod had been instructed by Government to implement the findings of the Board of Inquiry into the service, and he said staff had not yet embraced the Commissioner's vision of the prison service.

At a rally outside Prison Headquarters on Happy Valley Road, Pembroke, after handing the "no confidence" letter to Mr. Prescod, Mr. Ford said: "The Minister did give you (Mr. Prescod) clear instructions to say that you have to get on with these recommendations because they are set in stone.

"They (staff) are just as resolute as you are in your vision for the department because the membership have yet to embrace it.

"The Commissioner is more caring about inmates than the staff and we want to turn that around so it is complementary."

The POA members handed the no confidence letter to Mr. Prescod after marching from Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters in Hamilton. Acting Labour and Home Affairs Minister Neletha Butterfield turned up at Prison Headquarters to receive a copy of the letter.

Union members were fully behind the protest, but 40 officers remained on duty yesterday to ensure inmates were kept secure during the walk-out and safety was not compromised. And prisoners were transported to court for appearances.

Mr. Prescod said he was aware of the officers' concerns and wanted to study the letter before commenting, but by yesterday evening he had no further comment to make.

After the march, POA representatives met Ms Butterfield, Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson, Director of Labour and Training Larry Burgess, and Permanent Arbitration Tribunal Arlene Brock to hammer out their concerns.

Mr. Rowlinson said last night that Ms Brock will work all this week with Mr. Prescod and the POA to try to avert strike action.

Speaking outside Prison headquarters at the march yesYesterday, POA President Michael Tuzo said: "It is an issue for everyone, not just the uniformed staff, we all feel dearly about it. We are here in solidarity to show you there is something awry in the prison service that needs to be sorted out."

And speaking to Mr. Prescod, Mr. Tuzo said: "We hope you will take these issues very seriously. The feeling is of our full support from everyone within the department."

After receiving the letter, Mr. Prescod said: "I will have to read the letter first and I will be able to say something.

"I have been aware that there are some issues that the executive are not happy with. We've had dialogue on a monthly basis but we have still not been able to resolve the issues.

"I expect we will have to have some third party to help resolve this.

"I was told that that (no confidence motion) was the move. I would like to read the letter and get the full feeling to why this is happening and then respond."

Speaking to The Royal Gazette after the march, Mr. Ford said: "The letter to the Commissioner has a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

"We find him to be autocratic, not involving the staff, of all ranks. One concern is the succession plan, but also to ensure there is proper criteria for appraisal and to get the proper staff in the proper ranks."

Last night Permanent Secretary Mr. Rowlinson said: "The Ministry can only say that the chair of the POA Mr. Tuzo and the POA have been assured that the concerns of its members will be given priority attention.

"Mr. Burgess and Ms Brock will work this week with the officers of the POA and the Commissioner's Office to resolve outstanding issues and avert any industrial action.

"As recently as March 20, I wrote to Mr. Tuzo to confirm that Ms Brock has been assigned to work closely with the POA to `make progress on implementing the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry as quickly as possible'.

"Once again, I want to assure the public and all parties concerned that we will work in unison with the POA and the Commissioner's Officer to resolve outstanding issues and avert any industrial action."