peacefully.

Some 30 prisoners, mainly those arrested in the Operation Cleansweep drug sting, earlier this week refused to sleep in their cells in protest of their treatment by the judicial system.

But Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer yesterday told The Royal Gazette the prisoners returned to their cells of their own accord after he met with them on Tuesday afternoon.

"I met with them from about 11.30 (a.m.) to after 3 p.m.,'' Mr. Dyer said.

He explained that prisoners wanted to air their feelings about the way the drug sting carried out by undercover US Drug Enforcement Agents had been conducted.

"They complained about the fact they could not get bail and that they felt it was a conspiracy,'' Mr. Dyer said. "I made it quite clear that there was really nothing that Prisons could do. But we would facilitate making calls for sureties to be signed.'' Unable to meet with Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira over the matter until tomorrow, he added: "I went back and told them this and said if you guys want to sit out until Friday, that's your choice.

"They chewed it over a bit. And I received a call at 4.30 p.m. saying they would do what was required of them and they returned to their cells.

"Obviously the prisoners are not happy, but they've had a chance to have their concerns heard and we will see where it goes.'' Mr. Dyer also plans to meet with representatives of Prison Officers Association later this week to hear their concerns about undisclosed issues.

Westgate prison officers took their own protest action on Monday, refusing to escort prisoners to appointments outside of the prison.

But they resumed their duties the following day.

POA deputy chairman Mahdee Shabazz said the Association was not yet prepared to make a public statement on their concerns, some of which are believed to be linked to the fact that they are outnumbered by prisoners as a result of Operation Cleansweep.