has raised concern about the way some prisoners are transported to court, it has been claimed.

A section of his report, leaked to The Royal Gazette , said advisor Chris Gale was perturbed to find that prisoners in custody at Hamilton Police Station were handcuffed and walked in full public view to the court building.

The leaked statement read: "This is both demeaning to the prisoners, and also presents a security risk.

"The COP (Commissioner of Police) should make arrangements for prisoners to be transported by vehicle from Hamilton Police Station to the courts building.'' A spokeswoman for Police said Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay did not want to comment on any aspect of the report.

She added that if anybody made a comment on any aspect of the audit, carried out in April following the Police Commissioners' Conference on the Island, it would be the Governor's office.

Nor could she estimate when the contents of the report would be made public.

However, Deputy Governor Tim Gurney said, at this stage, he was also unable to comment.

He added: "We are still digesting the report and we cannot comment on something that has been leaked, anyway.'' Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said she had not yet seen the report, so did not want to comment on it, but said plans for a new Police Station in Hamilton and combined court building allowed for the transportation of prisoners within the confines of the complex.

Concerns have been raised in the past about the security risks connected to transporting prisoners across the street on foot to the court buildings.

Not only does it make it easier for prisoners to escape custody, but also leaves them open to attack by the relatives and friends of victims and spectators.

Last night, Opposition MP Michael Dunkley, who is Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister, said he had concerns about the security risks for some time.

He said: "The Government has addressed this issue in the past by saying, when we had a new court facility, the Police Station would be connected to the court building, but we are still here.

"Obviously, it's a concern. Transporting prisoners across the street on foot is making a public spectacle of them.

"But it also requires more guards and Police officers than should be really necessary.

"Family, friends and spectators know when people are due out of the Police Station and it is simply a security risk. This should not be the way when the proper paths of justice are being followed.''