Civilian prison staff may walk out over poor working conditions as the prisons crisis deepens.

The Bermuda Public Services Union has issued a 21-day strike notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs and an emergency meeting with Ministry officials will be held today.

Half of the 25 civilian staff working in the Department of Corrections held talks with the BPSU earlier this month, the same day that the Prison Officers' Association had talks over the ongoing overcrowding crisis at Westgate.

BPSU general secretary Ed Ball told The Royal Gazette earlier this month: "A number of concerns were raised and I will share them with the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Labour and Home Affairs." He was unavailable for comment last night.

Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Robert Horton confirmed the 21-day notice had been received but was unwilling to make further comment.

Meanwhile the POA are still hopeful of resolving overcrowding issues at the Island's maximum security prison although remain steadfast in refusing to move an additional nine prisoners to the Co-Ed facility at Ferry Reach.

A dozen foreign nationals were moved last Tuesday but the transfer of an additional nine was put on hold after objections by the POA.

Mr. Horton said last night he was hopeful the prisoners would still be moved stating: "The movement of the prisoners has been delayed and at the moment we are looking at the composition of the group.

"We want to ensure only the most appropriate inmates are moved. Inmates undergo a variety of programmes while at Westgate and it is only the most suitable to be removed that will be transferred."

He added that he expected the prisoners to be selected and moved "very, very shortly".

The POA was furious that despite Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton's insistence that only "low-risk" prisoners would be moved, a number of people with sentences up to 18 years were moved instead.

The association then refused to move further prisoners forcing Acting Permanent Secretary Martin Law to halt the movement order.