The following is the full text of a press release by the Prison Officer's Association

We the officers and members of the Prison Officers Association feel compelled to present to the public our position on the situation we now find ourselves. The Association over the years had been very co-operative with the Government of Bermuda in trying to resolve outstanding issues.

It was under the past Minister, the Honourable Paula Cox that a Government appointed Board of Inquiry was implemented. As a result of the inquiry, 35 recommendations were identified. Both the Government and the Prison Officers Association have signed a consent order for the immediate implementation of these recommendations for the good of the Service. This was a complete and thorough audit of the Bermuda Prison Service.

Mr. Lister stated in a news release on Friday April 25, 2003 that one of the recommendations was to hire a new Commissioner from overseas. This was not one of the recommendations. After the inquiry, the Association was advised by Government that they were looking to go overseas to find a new Commissioner.

They (the Government) also advised the Association that they were intending to interview candidates from England, Canada, the U.S.A. and the Caribbean. We the Association voiced our concerns at that time as to the hiring of someone from the Caribbean.

When Lt. Col. Prescod arrived on the island, the Association welcomed him despite the controversy surrounding him, even attending his initial news conference. The first few weeks after his arrival a general meeting was held by the Association specifically for the purpose to have Commissioner Prescod introduce himself to the membership.

Also it was intended that he explain to the membership how he was to move the Service forward. It was during this meeting that he set the tone of things to come when he stated that after reading our Collective Bargaining Agreement, he found it to be too generous.

In our early meetings with the Commissioner, we the Association made it quite clear that despite what we had been through in the past, we were very willing to work along with him to take the Service to the next level. We made our position clear as to the Board of Inquiry and it's recommendations and that we wanted to move ahead as we were given an assurance that they will continue. Commissioner Prescod stated quite categorically, and I quote "I did not come here to implement any inquiry recommendations and if that is what the Government wants then they could find someone else to do the job".

In July 2002 two months after his arrival, Commissioner Prescod brought in a consultant Dr. Morais Wallen to do another audit of the Department at a cost of $50,000.00. Again when the Association brought to his attention the inquiry, he stated that he was tired of hearing about the inquiry and the cost to the Association. He than stated that the Wallen Report was our report and comprehensively we are going with that, totally disregarding the inquiry recommendations and totally disrespecting the Association.

As a result of the Association and the Commissioner not being able to resolve this and other issues, the Association had no choice but to go back to the ministerial level to again voice our concerns. It was at the second meeting held on February 20, 2003 with the Minister, the Permanent Secretary, Commissioner Prescod and the Association that the Minister had to give the Commissioner a clear directive that he is to carry on with the implementation of the inquiry recommendations.

Since that meeting the Commissioner has announced that Dr. Wallen will commence work with the Department as early as May at a cost of $120,000.00. This has lead the Association to believe that despite the Minister's directive, the Commissioner will still disregard the Board of Inquiry and go ahead with Dr. Wallen's proposals. The Commissioner's managerial style has led to other contentious issues resulting in the present state of affairs. Yet again, the Association finds itself fighting issues that we had already resolved.

Michael Tuzo P.O.A. Chairman

@EDITRULE:

We the Officers and members of the Prison Officers Association also feel compelled to respond to recent comments made by the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, The Honourable Terry Lister in reference to the P.O.A. acting in bad faith. These are the facts.

April 7th. (1015) P.O.A. marched on Prison H.Q. to deliver a vote of no confidence and letter of intent to the Acting Minister Ms. Neletha Butterfield and Commissioner John Prescod.

April 7th. (1130) P.O.A. met with the Acting Minister, P.S. Mr. Brian Rowlinson and Labour Relations Officer Mr. Larry Burgess.

April 7th. P.O.A. received a letter from the P.S. in reference to the appointment of both Mr. Larry Burgess as Labour Relations Officer and Ms. Arlene Brock.

April 7th. (1230) P.O.A. met with L.R.O. Mr. Burgess to discuss the issues and concerns.

April 9th. P.O.A. received a letter from the P.S. withdrawing Ms. Arlene Brock and appointing Mr. Larry Burgess as mediator.

April 14th. P.O.A. contacted L.R.O. Mr. Burgess.

April 21st. P.O.A. contacted L.R.O Mr. Burgess in reference to arranging a meeting for April 23rd. at 10.00 am.

April 23rd. P.O.A. met with L.R.O. Mr. Burgess .After submissions, L.R.O. determined that there is nothing to mediate.

April 23rd. P.O.A. were advised by the L.R.O. of a meeting between L.R.O. and the Minister on April 24th. With reference to the Minister's statement to "lock them up and stroll down the hall jangling keys and don't worry", the P.O.A. membership have not done that since 1994 while working under the previous government.