A Prison Officers' strike has been averted following moves from Government to address the reportedly "deplorable" conditions at Westgate Correctional Facility which saw convicts and staff alike flushing toilets with sea water.

Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton said yesterday that the water problem had been resolved and all toilets were functioning as normal, while portable air conditioners are also being employed as the Ministry of Works and Engineering awaits the arrival of spare parts to fix the permanent units.

Some "challenges" with the air-conditioning in some parts of the prison remain however, according to Mr. Horton, and will be addressed "as soon as possible".

"I am pleased to note the high degree of cooperation generally that has been demonstrated by staff of the facility and by the inmates in recent weeks," the Minister concluded.

However, an anonymous source close to the situation has told that some toilets are still not working properly ? although enough has been done to avert industrial action.

"We're still having to take inmates out [to use the portable toilets supplied but we are not now going on strike," the source confirmed.