All the furore surrounding the scourge of drugs in Bermuda's prison system has caused the warder's union boss to defend the prison system and his colleauges.

Michael Tuzo, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, said that his organisation is fighting a continued battle to eradicate drugs from the prisons.

With allegations from Shadow Minister of Labour, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, that tennis balls containing drugs have been thrown over prison fences, Mr. Tuzo ensured that efforts are being put in place to stamp out drug activity, but he would not comment on the allegation.

And he moved to set the record straight that his Officers are serious about being on the frontline to keep the drugs from entering the prison gates.

"When you have a situation like that, people assume that Prison Officers are involved," he said. "I take issue with the fact that and over the years it has never been proven. We as an association want to ensure that the Officers are not involved. We are aware there is a drug problem in the prison system and we taking it very seriously."

Mr. Tuzo said that revelations from the Board of Inquiry into the prison system - which concluded in May this year - highlighted that drug use was a major problem among prisoners.

Based on that fact, he echoed Labour Minister Terry Lister's claim that a number of initiatives will be put into place geared toward making the prison system a drug free environment.

And there was a suggestion that the various correctional facilities in the Island could resemble the Customs checkpoint at the airport in the near future.

"We have taken a firm stance on it," he said. "There will be a canine unit in place soon - there will be a drug detection system set up. But until we get these things on line, I can assure that everyone coming in to see a prisoner will be checked."

Also Mr. Tuzo said that the new induction of 17 officers on Friday, will add a much needed manpower injection to the Prison Service, which has suffered of late due to insufficient numbers.

He said that by the end of 2003, he hoped to have the strength beefed up to 36 officers.

"We are bringing our compliment up to strength to ensure that the Prison Service is doing the duty that we have been charged to do," he said.