Government last night confirmed that former Regiment Commanding Officer Edward Lamb will be Bermuda?s new prisons chief, after serving one year under interim head Bryan Payling.

Lt. Col. Lamb will be sent away for a year?s training before taking over in the prisons hot seat.

Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Robert Horton yesterday described Lt. Col. Lamb as ?no nonsense but caring? during his time at Warwick Camp troops.

He added: ?His exemplary track record at the Regiment points to the likelihood that he will perform outstandingly once he assumes the role of Commissioner.?

Government said it recognised Lt. Col. Lamb had no experience working in a corrections department. As a result, he will spend 11 months as Commissioner Designate getting ?comprehensive exposure? to the Island?s prisons system.

This period will also include two lengthy spells working in UK jails.

However, the confirmation of Lt. Col. Lamb?s appointment ? revealed in earlier this month? was given a guarded reception by prison officers last night.

Craig Clarke, chairman of the Prison Officers? Association, said there were ?mixed feelings? in the ranks as to whether the appointment was a good one.

The Association must be cautious before endorsing the appointment, he stated, adding that Lt. Col Lamb appeared enthusiastic about the challenges ahead.

?Yes, it true that the Colonel has had a sterling military career,? said Mr. Clarke. ?But whether this transcends into a successful career as Commissioner of Corrections has yet to be determined.?

He said that it would take ?some time? for Lt. Col Lamb to get up to speed on what was involved in running an effective corrections regime.

Mr. Clarke said that the new Commissioner must be willing to work with the Association to ?create a relationship that is mutually beneficial for both sides? ? and to understand what line officers face on a daily basis.

And he added: ?It is most certain that the Commissioner Designate must understand that respect will not just be given because he holds the Commissionership, but he must earn that respect of the rank and file by his leadership and the decisions he will be called on to make.?

In response, Lt. Col. Lamb told that he would rather talk to the Prison Officers? Association directly, rather than through the media.

?I?m looking forward to a healthy dialogue that will be in the best interests of not only the Corrections Department, but all of Bermuda,? he added.

Government earlier confirmed that Lt. Col. Lamb would serve in the shadow role from September 1, 2006 until August 5, 2007.

Permanent Secretary Mr. Horton said: ?Lt. Col. Lamb, who completed four years? service as Commanding Officer of The Bermuda Regiment in May, possesses in abundance those personal attributes and the relevant experience required for the post.

?As Commanding Officer, he was no-nonsense but caring, respected and committed, inspirational and innovative. We are confident that he will bring the same quality of leadership to the Department of Corrections.?

As a former human resources manager for the Shell Bermuda Group of Companies, Lt. Col. Lamb has valuable personnel experience, said Mr Horton.

He continued: ?It is recognised that Lt. Col. Lamb has no experience working in a Department of Corrections.

?Therefore, the 11 months of his appointment as Commissioner Designatewill be dedicated to comprehensive exposure to the local correctional environment, including shadowing and operational duties at all ranks.?

In Bermuda, Lt. Col. Lamb will serve for varying periods at the Department of Corrections HQ, Westgate, the Farm Facility, the Co-Ed Facility and the Transitional Living Centre.

And it was announced that he will spend two extended periods in the UK, making ?familiarisation visits? to a range of prisons while working closely with overseas prison chiefs. Other work will be carried out there with drug strategy coordinators and psychologists.

Confirmation of who would be in charge while Lt. Col. Lamb was training was also confirmed yesterday.

Former UK prison chief Mr. Payling, who joined the Department of Corrections as a consultant in September 2005, will serve as interim Commissioner.

Mr. Horton said there was no doubt he was qualified to lead the system for the 11-month spell.

He added: ?We are confident that the appointment of Lt. Col. Lamb as Commissioner Designate and Bryan Payling to serve as Commissioner for an eleven-month period will provide continued stability for the Department of Corrections and ensure effective management of the Department for years to come. ?We look forward to the continued support of the Prison Officers? Association in this regard.?

Tributes have been paid to retiring Corrections Commissioner, Hubert Dean.

Mr. Horton said Mr. Dean had served with distinction over the last two years ? coming out of retirement to head the Department after a period of ?considerable turmoil?.

He added: ?His impeccable reputation as Assistant Commissioner of Corrections, the post that he held at the time of his retirement in 2002, the tremendous respect that he enjoyed from his colleagues and his firm but fair leadership style were exactly what the Department required at the time.

?During Mr. Dean?s tenure as Commissioner, morale within the Department increased significantly and there has been marked progress in a number of other areas.?

He said his period in charge saw a dramatic improvement in the ?often acrimonious? relationship between management and the Prison Officers? Association

The changes at the top of the prison system sees Lt. Col. Lamb parachuted into the top post above high ranking officers, including the three recently-appointed Assistant Commissioners ? Keeva Joell-Benjamin, Lionel Hubert Young and Clarence Davis.

It is understood the appointment led the Prison Officers? Association to question why overseas training can be made available to an outsider, yet not to officers with years of experience.

And the Association last night said it was important that a succession plan be developed under the new regime, so a suitable rank and file candidate can take over from Lt. Col. Lamb.

?This can happen if substantive training is offered to our senior staff and those identified throughout the ranks with the ability to lead,? said chairman Mr. Clarke.

On Mr. Payling?s appointment, Mr. Clarke said that he was prepared to listen to the Association. ?As long as he continues to engage the Prison Officers? Association, we are willing to work with him to ensure that the Department goes from strength to strength.?