dodge flak over the Prison Service.

The attack by his Opposition counterpart Mr. Nelson Bascome follows the escape of Brian Rogers.

"It's a very odd situation when a UBP Government Minister can try to pass the buck for inadequacies in his Ministry when he as Cabinet Minister is charged with the primary responsibility.

"There is an apparent lack of leadership at the top.'' Last night Mr. Edness could not be contacted for comment.

Mr. Bascome outlined problems facing the Prison Service. Among them: Lack of psychological testing for those jailed for over six months, despite promises in March 1993; Low prison officers' morale; Inadequate training for officers, especially with the new prison soon to be opened; and Need for proper security.

Mr. Bascome said these problems had been raised with Mr. Edness at the last sitting of the House of Assembly.

He hit out days after it emerged two prison officers have been charged with neglect of duty over the Christmas escape from the Ferry Reach Prison Farm of Rogers.

The allegations follow an in-depth probe by the Assistant Commissioner of Prisons.

This revealed Rogers escaped from a washroom in a "security area'' at the Prison Farm after ripping out his cell bars.

But the report cleared the Prison Service of any problems with procedure.

Mr. Edness, who uncovered parts of the report, said he had asked Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Ed Dyer to read the riot act to his staff.

"The officer on duty in this security area appears not to have supervised Rogers properly.'' He added: "I will expect the strongest disciplinary measures to be taken in any similar incident in the future.'' Mr. Bascome, however, accused Mr. Edness of "double talk''.

He pointed out how he had questioned Mr. Edness on the Prison Service in the House of Assembly recently.

"These questions focused on checking on what was being done about rehabilitation, the effects of downsizing of personnel in the Prison Service and on security related issues. At the time the Minister claimed there were no problems, apart from minor staffing reductions.'' Mr. Bascome added: "The public must be reminded of the number of costly reviews of the Prison service which have already been commissioned.''